Future Tassie survey results show strong focus on access to GPs

Tasmanians believe health care in the community is the answer to the state’s health and hospital woes, the results of an exclusive Mercury survey reveal.

The Royal Hobart Hospital. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

TASMANIANS believe health care in the community is the answer to the state’s health and hospital woes, an exclusive Mercury survey has revealed.

The Future Tassie survey asked what could be done to ease pressure on the state’s health system.

Key findings from the 1362 responses included:

92.5 PER CENT wanted an increase in State Government funding for hospitals.

87.1 PER CENT said health workers should have better pay and conditions.

94.3 PER CENT wanted higher priority on community care by GPs and allied health professionals.

ONLY 37 PER CENT said the Government should close one of the state’s four major hospitals.

JUST OVER HALF of respondents wanted another health summit.

A common theme was more should be done to improve the affordability and accessibility of GP services.

However, Northern suburbs GP Graeme Alexander said lack of access to GPs was not putting pressure on hospitals.

General practitioner Doctor Graeme Alexander. Reaction to the Health white paper released by the state government. Picture Nikki Davis-Jones

In many cases, GPs were under pressure because of patients’ lack of access to hospital treatment, Dr Alexander said.

FUTURE TASSIE: READERS REVEAL VIEWS ON TOURIST LEVY

Successive federal governments had neglected general practice by freezing Medicare, making bulk-billing practices marginal, he said.

“General practice remains massively underfunded and patients’ out-of-pocket expenses will have to go up if general practice is to survive,” he said.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson said general practice was a Federal Government responsibility but the State Government worked with stakeholders to maximise coverage.

“We endorse the work being undertaken at a national level on the development of the National Rural Generalist Pathway and have been working closely with the National Rural Health Commissioner to ensure this model will deliver for Tasmanians,” he said.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson said general practice was a Federal Government responsibility. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

“Recent data indicates Tasmania has more GPs than ever before and a high number of GPs per capita when compared with other states.

“However, we know there are always improvements that can be made.”

MORE NEWS:

CITY CONGESTION FIX

MAN ARRESTED AFTER ARMED HOLDUP

CRUISE SHIPS GIVE SALAMANCA MARKET A WIDE BERTH

When it came to the hospital system, the State Government had allocated an “unprecedented” $757 million extra funding over the next 5½ years to cover 300 new beds and 1300 more staff.

Health and Community Services Union state secretary Tim Jacobson said it came as no surprise that the vast majority of respondents strongly supported a pay rise for health workers.

“The community can see almost daily, the pressure that’s on our hospitals and on our workforce and there’s a high degree of respect out there for our workforce,” he said.