Health Minister Michelle O’Byrne has confirmed a Health Department push for the government to scrap its three proposed local hospital networks in the lead- up to next month’s state budget.
In Parliament yesterday (Thursday, May 19), Ms O’Byrne said that while a three- network model had been approved by cabinet last year, “the department has every right to put up as many suggestions as it can that save money”.
The networks are part of federal reforms designed to increase local control of hospitals, with each having its own chief executive reporting to a local board.
The government yesterday refused to reveal how much the networks would cost to set up.
But Ms O’Byrne said three would be more expensive than one due to “administrative costs” not covered by the federal government.
Opposition health spokesman Jeremy Rockliff said it was “the state’s worst kept secret” that the government was poised to announce a backflip, leaving one network in charge of hospitals in all three regions.
“For Ms O’Byrne to now try and paint LHNs as being a cost burden is pure spin meant to protect this weak minister from community outrage when she sells everyone out,” he said.
“How can there be more local input with a single network?”
Ms O’Byrne said the existing area health networks were already making decisions at a regional level.
“If you are a clinician performing a medical procedure or surgery, the structure around you will not make very much difference,” she said.
“Health has put forward a range of suggestions of how to do things more efficiently and more effectively, and of course they should.”
Australian Medical Association Tasmanian president John Davis said the minister’s office assured him yesterday that her preferred position was for three networks.
“But like most things in health, it’s time to start ruling things in or out,” Dr Davis said.
“The community needs to know where health is going in this state.”
The three networks were meant to roll out from July 1, but Ms O’Byrne said they were never due to be operational until next year.
