Premier Jeremy Rockliff spruiking “crucial” regional healthcare spend
A new $2m health diagnostic tool in regional Tasmania will be a lifesaver, say St Helens locals. How it will change the healthcare scene in the state’s east.
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On Friday, the Premier travelled to St Helens to announce new equipment for the hospital.
Liberal Party leader Premier Jeremy Rockliff has come out with a number of health pledges ahead of the state election, July 19.
Mr Rockliff said access to healthcare in rural and regional areas was “crucial”.
“We will install and indeed fund a brand new CT scanner for the local area,” he said.
“Those diagnostic services are very much valued and essential when it comes to supporting Tasmanians with their healthcare.”
The CT scanner will use $2 million of the $40 million regional hospital fund.
Mr Rockliff said having a nearby diagnostic tool meant people could access this service locally rather than needing an ambulance transfer or even helicopter to go to Launceston General Hospital.
St Helens District Hospital and clinic doctor, Dr Michael Fox said the scanner would be a “game changer”, saying those who might have been adverse to driving hours to Hobart or Launceston, will now be able to have a fuller medical picture of their health close to home – helping people who have fallen and hit their heads or had strokes.
“For us as small community, it’ll make a huge difference,” he said
“For us as doctors, it’ll make a really big change as well, because we’ll be able to offer people something they couldn’t easily access before and we’ll be able to generally upskill what we do in St Helens.”
Another benefit would be helping attract medical staff to be able to offer more upskilling.
St Helen’s Hospital had 250 people present at the emergency department who needed a CT scan, and in the community 400 were referred to Launceston General Hospital.
Young local parent Jess McShane said with young children, an accident was often just waiting to happen.
“As a parent, having a sick or injured child is the most stressful time for you,” she said.
“Having to maker that commute to Launceston can be too much, more than you can handle sometimes. The reduction of having that commute would be life changing.”
The CT scanner would be a welcome addition for the community, Break O’Day council mayor Mick Tucker said, especially for the older members of the community.
“This is a game changer for people to stay close at home, have their scan at home, be treated at home and be among family,” he said.
Mr Tucker said the work from Dr Fox was “unbelievable”, gathering figures on how many people in the community needed a scan and the cost it would save the government.
“This is a godsend to our community,” he said.
“People can feel the comfort that if the worst case happens, they can get treated and immediate intervention.”
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