The Hodgman Liberal Government welcomes the strong support we’ve received from health stakeholders in relation to the announcements made yesterday, which are part of the next stage of our long-term plan for health.
On the improvements to the Royal Hobart Hospital Redevelopment, the ABC reported AMA President John Davis as saying the decision was "very positive" and that "the single ward would help the hospital manage its capacity more easily".
RHH medical staff association Chair Frank Nicklason acknowledged this was exactly what clinicians had been calling for, saying: "It will enable reconfiguration and expansion of the emergency department…"
Our announcements have been thoroughly welcomed by mental health stakeholders, who clearly recognise the Government is taking mental health extremely seriously.
Our $104 million plan for mental health now includes a brand new 12-bed mental health Hospital in the Home service and the construction of a world-class sub-acute facility at St John’s Park.
Mental Health Carers Tasmania CEO Maxine Griffiths AM said the Hospital in the Home beds brought "a sigh of relief from many families, friends and carers of people living with mental illness".
Ms Griffiths called it "a positive move towards contemporary models of care for Tasmanians experiencing mental illness".
Mental Health Council of Tasmania CEO Connie Digolis said: "The timeline for this new community-based and person-centred mental health program is good news for our communities".
"Evidence shows us that the outcomes are better when individuals are able to remain in their own environment to receive care," Ms Digolis continued.
"It will provide critical mental health in home support for individuals and their families, along with other facilities coming online over the next three years to support the mental health of all Tasmanians."
We are committed to making Tasmanians’ lives better and we will continue to work closely and constructively with health stakeholders and frontline staff to deliver our plan.
