MORE NORTHERN HEALTH SERVICES TO CLOSE

Steady Erosion Continues

The Tasmanian Greens today called on the Bartlett Government to reveal what it will do about the imminent closure of the Westbury Medical Centre, as well as the Fiveways Medical Centre in South Launceston which provides general practice services to local nursing homes.

Greens Member for Lyons, Tim Morris MP, said the Bartlett Government is ignoring the withdrawal of regional medical services from across northern Tasmania, except in the case of Dr McGinity where the government appears to be facilitating the Doctor’s removal, and that this stealthy erosion of northern health services is making life in local towns and regional centres increasingly difficult.

Mr Morris also called on the Infrastructure Minister Graeme Sturges to reveal why a proposal to operate a bus service between Westbury and Deloraine, for use by former patients from the Westbury Medical Centre, has not proceeded.

“The Premier must reveal what his government will do about the imminent closure of Launceston’s Fiveways Medical Centre and the Westbury Medical Centre, not to mention the situation surrounding Dr Paul McGinity’s practices in North East Tasmania,” said Mr Morris.

“What has happened to the proposal for a bus service to transport former patients of the Westbury Medical Centre to Deloraine?”

“Instead of fighting for the retention of regional medical services in northern Tasmania, the Bartlett Government is overseeing through a lack of action, or even facilitating, the steady removal of medical centres and practices across the region,” said Mr Morris.
Tim Morris MP Greens Member for Lyons