Unfilled paramedic shifts and short staffing are a common occurrence on the North West Coast, yet the State Government still hasn't released its Station and Clinical Service Master Plan.
Jeremy Rockliff said the plan would help guide much needed investment in ambulance services across the state, and during Budget Estimates he and CEO of Ambulance Tasmania Joe Acker committed to completing the Masterplan in November 2022.
It's nearly February and the plan is nowhere to be seen - just like the much needed investment that was supposed to come with it.
To make matters worse, there are nearly 100 paramedics employed on short-term contracts, including nearly 50 in the North West, who have no information about if or when they will be employed on a permanent basis.
One of the first things Labor would do if elected would be to make all the current temporary paramedics permanent.
This is such an easy thing to do, and would ensure the health crisis isn't made worse by existing paramedics leaving in search of a permanent position.
Tasmanians are waiting too long for ambulances to arrive. They're waiting too long on the ramp when they should be admitted to hospital. And now they're waiting too long for the plan Jeremy Rockliff promised he'd come up with to fix this crisis.
If the Liberals can't even deliver a plan for greater investment in ambulance services, they're welcome to adopt Labor's.
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Minister for Health
