Health Consumers Tasmania asks for government funding as it struggles to survive

Health Consumers Tasmania is on its last legs, with its outgoing CEO saying the stress of its financial situation was a contributing factor to him leaving. Their hope for a lifeline.

Health Consumers Tasmania CEO Bruce Levett. Picture: Chris Kidd

Health Consumers Tasmania (HCT) says it will not survive without extra funding and is struggling to stay afloat.

Outgoing CEO Bruce Levett has also revealed that the role’s stress, mostly caused by the organisation’s financial situation, negatively impacted his health.

“I know from experience that you can’t run an organisation that provides meaningful engagement with people across the whole state for $300,000 a year,” Mr Levett said.

“It has impacted my health to the point where I have had to step down from a job I truly love. I worry the next CEO will also experience burnout.”

Acting CEO Ellen MacDonald said the organisation had only survived due to additional funding promised at the 2021 state election.

Health Consumers Tasmania acting CEO Ellen MacDonald. Picture: Supplied.

“While our regional funding ceases in June this year, there is a desperate need for the work to continue,” Ms MacDonald said.

“We have well over 250 dedicated community people from places like Scottsdale, Ulverstone, Tasman Peninsula, Ouse and the Huon who are doing a mighty job bringing their communities together to find solutions to their local health needs, but there is anxiety in these communities about the need for continued support.

“Without additional ongoing funding, ten staff will no longer have a job, with most of those people living in the regional and rural communities where they work.”

Ms Macdonald called on both major parties to commit funding to HCT.

Health Consumers Tasmania CEO Bruce Levett.

Mr Levett said the Greens had already pledged to support the organisation.

“I am extremely proud of the work we have done, whether it’s sitting in the middle of doctors and pharmacists arguing about scope of practice, providing real-time testing of the COVID@home program, advocating strongly in the Federal space for the interests of Tasmanians, or working behind the scenes to support communities facing GP closures, like Greenpoint, East Devonport, and Risdon Vale.

“I compare this State election to the last one, and I see our strong advocacy over the last few years for more health services into regional and remote areas now materialising in the election commitments that we are seeing from the three parties, whether it is more nurse practitioners and paramedics or greater regional access to 24/7 urgent care.”

Mr Levett said that improving community health services was vital.

“Our view is that you can’t fix ramping and all the problems in the hospitals without first fixing access to health care in the community.

“We are making a difference by ensuring decision-makers have access to community views, which leads to better policies.

“Surely both major parties would see the value of this work continuing, especially given the years of work we have done to bring people together and build trust within those communities.”