Ambulances receive ‘priority access’ to Bruny Island ferry

A decrease in Bruny Island ferry services has caused a concerned resident to question whether ambulances will be able to reach sick patients in a timely fashion during the coronavirus pandemic.

A BRUNY Island resident is concerned the health of the small community could be at risk due to a decrease in ferry services.

The resident’s concerns were outlined in a letter sent by Greens Health spokeswoman Rosalie Woodruff to Transport Minister Michael Ferguson in late April.

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Ms Woodruff said the resident was concerned that due to the ferry services being decreased amid the coronavirus pandemic, ambulances would effectively be cut off from getting sick patients to hospital in a timely fashion in the middle of the day.

“Clearly COVID-19 restrictions have resulted in a significant drop in ferry patronage, and presumably Sealink’s finances,” she said.

“However, the ferry service must first function as a ‘road’, and ensure provision of the essential health services islanders must be able to access.

“Medical emergencies cannot be diarised to fit into one or other end of the day.”

Greens Health spokeswoman Rosalie Woodruff.

A State Government spokeswoman said Ambulance Tasmania would always work to provide the fastest possible response for Tasmanians in need of emergency care.

“The Statewide Operations Centre will dispatch crews using transport options outside of road-based responses whenever it is necessary to do so,” the spokeswoman said.

A SeaLink spokesman said emergency arrangements were in place between SeaLink and medical authorities if ferry transport for an ambulance was required.

“Ambulances receive priority access,” he said.

Transport Minister Michael Ferguson and boat builder Toby Richardson at the ferry terminal. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

With visitor numbers down, he said it was necessary to reduce the timetable to run the service in a sustainable way.

“Ferry travel to and from Bruny Island has been severely affected by COVID-19, especially following the travel restrictions imposed by the Australian and Tasmanian governments to stop the spread of the virus,” he said.

“During Easter this year, SeaLink carried just 6 per cent of vehicles we carried the same period in 2019, and we continue to only carry 10 per cent to 25 per cent of the traffic we carried last year.

“Some ferries carried no vehicles or pedestrian passengers and services continue to carry very low vehicle numbers.”

Ms Woodruff also said the resident was concerned about a lack of communication about the decrease in services.

The SeaLink spokesman said information regarding the temporary changes were communicated by Facebook, their website, and the Bruny Island Ferry Reference Group.