Labor calls for immediate health funding increase

Tasmania’s health system is still under pressure and Labor wants a big boost in spending to avoid ambulance ramping and to ease surgery wait times.

• Royal Hobart Hospital new K-Block operating theatres open
• Robots Marcus and Mary start work at Royal Hobart Hospital

TASMANIA’S health system continues to be dogged by the same problems which limited its capacity before the pandemic, Labor’s health spokeswoman Sarah Lovell said.

The government must make a major investment in the health system, she said.

“Tasmania’s health woes were well known even before the pandemic, with elective surgery waiting lists already at record high numbers, along with ambulance ramping and bed block,” Ms Lovell said.

“More than 11,000 people were waiting for surgery before COVID-19 hit and, while we won’t have current numbers until later in the year, we know the pandemic will have had an impact, given the national decision in March to cancel most elective surgeries.

“As we emerge from the health emergency, we need sufficient investment and a workforce plan to ensure adequate resourcing, along with investment in preventive health and community-based health are to reduce the need for surgery in the first place.”

Labor also called for the mandatory testing of all arrivals from Victoria for COVID-19.

Follow @DavidJKillick