West Coast residents who have been unable to access adequate health care in the midst of the Liberal's health and hospital crisis will finally be given access under a Majority Labor Government.
Visiting the West Coast today, Labor Leader Rebecca White said it was unacceptable that Tasmanians who call Queenstown, Rosebery, Strahan, Zeehan and Tullah home had suffered under seven years of neglect by the Liberals who had utterly failed them by chronically understaffing and under-funding local hospitals and Community Health Centres.
Ms White announced $3.5 million for capital works at the West Coast District Hospital at Queenstown, as well as upgraded 24/7 emergency care.
Around the clock ambulance coverage by paramedics will additionally be extended to Queenstown, Rosebery, Strahan, Zeehan and Tullah.
Additionally, Labor's West Coast health rescue package includes:
- Five new permanent nurse practitioners for the West Coast District Hospital
- 24/7 nursing coverage with three new registered nurses in the Rosebery, Strahan and Queenstown Community Health Centres
- New mental health social worker, dietician, exercise physio and occupational therapist positions in Rosebery and Strahan and Queenstown
- The provision of a health community car for non-urgent transport in all three centres
"It's not good enough that Tasmanians who call the West Coast region home have not had access to even adequate health care under seven years of the Liberals," Ms White said.
"That will change under a Labor Government.
"Labor's Health Action Plan will address the root of the problem and provide 24/7 care in rural and regional areas."
Labor Member for Braddon Anita Dow said the biggest issue facing the region was health care.
"People who love this area and call it home have had to travel to access health care and that is a direct result of the Gutwein Government's neglect," Ms Dow said.
"It's unacceptable that Tasmanians who require health care cannot access that health care where they live.
"It means that the sick become sicker."
Shadow Health Minister Dr Bastian Seidel said Tasmanians required and deserved better than a government and a Health Minister who ignored their needs and increasing demand for health and hospital services.
"It's astounding more than 50,000 Tasmanians are waiting for an appointment with a medical specialist and more than 12,000 are waiting for necessary surgery," Dr Seidel said.
"And it's astounding we have a Health Minister in Sarah Courtney who just does not seem to care.
"The Liberal government has cut $1.6 billion from health since 2014 and Tasmanians are paying for this irresponsible government with their lives."
Rebecca White MP
Labor Leader
Anita Dow MP
Labor Member for Braddon
Bastian Seidel MLC
Shadow Health Minister
