As a mum with a young family living in rural Tasmania, I understand the importance of all Tasmanians having access to quality and timely health care close to where they live.
Today I am joined by the Deputy Mayor of the West Coast Robert Butterfield who knows the difficulties faced by the community here in Queenstown and on the wider West Coast in accessing health services.
Whether it's a long wait to see a GP or for an ambulance, it is vital that all Tasmanians have peace of mind that health services are available when and where they need them.
That's why a Tasmanian Labor government will expand and upgrade services at the West Coast District Hospital at Queenstown and employ more paramedics in the region.
Under our Right Priorities Plan, Queenstown is one of 18 rural and regional hospitals around the state that will benefit from Labor's community-centred model of health care, with around-the-clock access to emergency care, and improved access to rural generalists, nursing practitioners and allied health workers.
Labor will also act on the dire shortage of paramedics on the West Coast and around the state, upgrading the Queenstown Ambulance Station to a double branch station providing 24/7 staffing by paramedics.
With limited training and job opportunities for qualified nurse practitioners, and many currently moving interstate, Labor's plan will remove these barriers and grow and build the workforce by extending training opportunities at the Mersey Community Hospital Rural Health Workforce Centre for Nurse Practitioners.
We will also cover the HECS-HELP debt for 150 health professionals including nurse practitioners who spend three years working in our district hospitals.
Only Labor has a plan to address the health crisis and repair our health system and it starts by boosting regional services and supporting our health workforce, so Tasmanians can receive the care they need closer to their home.
Rebecca White MP
Tasmanian Labor Leader
