Claim Tasmanian Health Service ignored code yellow requests from RHH emergency department

THE Tasmanian branch of the Australian Medical Association has backtracked on its initial support of last week’s State Budget.

THE Tasmanian branch of the Australian Medical Association has backtracked on its initial support of last week’s State Budget.

Immediately following the Budget last Thursday, the AMA welcomed the “significant funding commitment from the State Government”.

In a significant statement given the conflict between the two groups, Tasmanian president Stuart Day said the association felt the Government had listened to concerns from those in the sector.

But, almost a week later, Dr Day said, upon reflection, the State Budget did not provide enough to improve the performance of the state’s hospitals.

“Our health service lacks leadership and a workable governance structure — the Budget doesn’t change this, so there is little confidence that initiatives will flow,” Dr Day said.

“Many of the beds announced in last week’s State Budget already exist and have patients in them, yet still we have the nation’s poorest performing hospitals.

“The current problems in our health system are due to years of cuts and this Budget does not break that cycle.”

Dr Day labelled the Tasmanian Liberals’ unauthorised used of his image on a post on their Facebook page appearing to be in support of the Budget as “poor form”.

“We’re not here to support either side of politics — we’re here to advocate for better hospital systems for our patients,” he said.

“The use of a quote out of context in a political forum is not something I authorised.”

The State Government declined to respond to Dr Day’s comments.

Meanwhile, Labor leader Rebecca White said in Parliament three requests from Royal Hobart Hospital clinicians to call a code yellow on Monday night were ignored by the THS.

A code yellow declares the failure or threat of failure to essential services.

Mr Hodgman said it was not the Government’s job to interfere in protocols managed by health professionals.

Mr Hodgman directed Ms White to the Government’s increased investment in health in the State Budget.

He said the Government was aware of increased pressures and demand on the RHH, but the redevelopment would offer 250 new beds when completed.

RHH clinical services director Wendy Rowell said the decision was made not to escalate to a Code Yellow because there was bed capacity in the hospital at the time.