At a time when demand for health services is growing, the Tasmanian government must act quickly to establish an agreement with private hospitals to prevent the loss of crucial frontline workers from Tasmania's health system.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said Federal Government plans to integrate private hospitals with the COVID-19 response will require a quick response from the state Liberals.
"We are hearing that nurses at the Hobart Private Hospital are either being stood down or having their hours reduced, and two senior midwives have been stood down at the North West Private Hospital," Ms White said.
"This makes no sense in the middle of a health emergency when we need all of these talented staff to be responding on the frontline.
"Why would private hospitals let staff go at a time when the government is running a statewide recruitment campaign to increase the size of the health workforce?
"Not only is COVID-19 placing increased pressure on health services around the state, but many people also face ongoing or day-to-day medical issues that need hospital care.
"And, high quality maternity care is just as important as it has always been. Babies are not going to stop being born because of COVID-19 and the health and wellbeing of mothers and babies must still be a priority for health services.
"Our capacity to respond to a health crisis has never been more important and we can't afford to lose crucial workers at a time like this.
"The Federal Government's pledge to fund half of the costs to integrate private hospitals into the COVID-19 response is a step in the right direction.
We need the state government to step in urgently and work with private hospitals to make sure they can stay open and to prevent the loss of these workers from Tasmania's health system.
"We will need all the beds and staff we can get if this crisis escalates."
Rebecca White
Labor Leader
