Tasmanian Labor understands the importance of having healthcare close to home, especially for those living in rural and regional parts of the state.
Today, I am at the Beaconsfield District Health Service to share that a Labor Government would make regional healthcare a priority by expanding services at 18 of Tasmania's district hospitals and health centres.
Beaconsfield District Health Service currently offers 22 aged care beds and four acute beds at its facility, however the acute beds are unable to be used due to no doctor being available.
An elected Labor Government will invest in and employ 215 additional health positions state-wide, with these professionals - like rural generalists and nurse practitioners - working as part of a multidisciplinary team to improve health outcomes in our regions.
But we know to attract and retain health professionals, we need to look after them. That is why a Labor Government would pay the HECS-HELP debt of 150 workers who agree to work in regional areas of Tasmania for three years.
A robust workforce will mean that patients can be discharged earlier from larger hospitals and return to the region sooner to undertake their rehabilitation or palliative care.
It will also ease the pressure on our emergency departments around the state, reduce bed block and ambulance ramping.
Labor's Right Priorities Plan will address the health crisis and is a common sense first step in rebuilding Tasmania's health system.
Labor's Right Priorities Plan is available here.
The regional health policies announced under Labor's Right Priorities Plan will cost $98.9 million, and will be funded by a $120 million saving made by freezing consultant spending at 2020 levels and reducing unnecessary government travel through increased use of technology.
Rebecca White MP
Tasmanian Labor Leader
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Minister for Health
