Tasmania’s Health Minister has confirmed elective surgery will be cut as the Government struggles to meet $100 million in budget savings.
Michelle O’Byrne says $21.6 million will be slashed from the elective surgery budget across the state; $8.5 million will go from the north; $10.7 million from the south and $2.4 from the north-west.
Ms O’Byrne says it has been a tough decision but there was “simply no money” to avoid the cuts.
“A longer waiting time will always be disturbing for someone who is on a lower category.”
“However, if we don’t do this this year then there is no hope in us managing not only the elective surgery list next year but it might impact on our ability to provide emergency care and that’s not acceptable.”
“I want to give our hospitals the best chance to have a sustainable service, our CEO’s tell me this is the way they get to that position,” she said.
Emergency, or life-threatening surgeries will not be affected and efforts will be made to keep waiting times as short as possible.
“This is not an announcement about blanket elective surgery cuts, halts or slow-downs; this will be a carefully managed, clinical process,” she said.
“Every effort will be made to find savings by carrying out elective surgery more efficiently, efforts that will result in far greater savings in the years to come.
“People waiting for elective surgery will continue to receive it; waiting lists will continue to be clinically managed by the area health service to respond to individual patient needs.
“But I have had to make this decision so that we have a health system that functions properly, that provides excellent care at a price we can afford and so that we can continue to treat emergency cases and carry out urgent surgery,” she said.
The Minister also says 150 administration jobs will also go in a departmental restructure.
Other savings will be made through bed closures at the Launceston General Hospital and roster changes.The Government has already announced $70 million of savings across the Health Department.
The Health and Community Services Union has labelled the cut as shocking and fear some patients may die waiting for treatment.
• Paul O’Halloran: It’s Lab-Lib mismanagement
HEALTH CUTS HIGHLIGHT LABOR-LIBERAL MISMANAGEMENT
Paul O’Halloran MP
Greens Health Spokesperson
The Tasmanian Greens said today’s announcement on elective surgery cuts is a legacy of years of mismanagement and inaction by successive Liberal and Labor governments.
Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP said the drastic measures highlight the need for a long term plan to reduce health costs with a greater focus on preventative health.
“The Greens acknowledge the need apply the principles of fiscal responsibility across all departments, but sadly this situation has come about because of years of mismanagement, and a reluctance by successive Labor and Liberal governments to make the hard and responsible decisions,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“The Greens are calling on the Minister to implement the Hospital Reforms as a matter of urgency and to develop a greater focus on efficiency and early intervention strategies, including multi-disciplinary triage systems.”
“Health reform has been put in the too-hard basket for too long and funding has been squandered during the good times through economic mismanagement by Labor and Liberal governments.”
“For the Liberal Party to now accuse the Greens of helping create this situation is laughable hypocrisy, given how many times they have sided with Labor to block the Greens’ attempts over the years to put the health system on a more efficient and sustainable footing.”
“It is a false economy to cut costs in areas like preventative care that will save money and deliver better health outcomes in the future.”“
“If we do not put into place a long term strategic plan, the current elective surgery waiting times will be the tip of the iceberg compared to what we can expect to see in the future.”
“The most responsible approach to deliver greater efficiencies in health is to develop a comprehensive, long-term strategic plan taking into account such things the ageing population, changing demographics, the chronic disease tsunami and workforce planning.”
“It’s time to end the band-aid approach that has seen Tasmania’s health system lurch from one crisis to the next,” Mr O’Halloran said.
• GREENS TO HOST HEALTH STAKEHOLDERS FORUM
Is There Merit in a Federal Takeover?
Paul O’Halloran MP
Greens Health Spokesperson
The Tasmanian Greens today announced plans to host a Health Stakeholders Forum to investigate the merit of any federal takeover of the hospital system.
Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP said it’s clear that the current crisis-driven healthcare delivery model is failing to meet the needs of Tasmanians, and that a greater focus needs to be on prevention and early intervention.
“These cuts to elective surgery are a devastating for many, and it’s especially tough for those who are on a non-emergency waiting list,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“Now is the time to take a serious look at reforming the health funding model to ensure that Tasmanians receive the high standard of healthcare they are entitled to expect, beyond the boom-bust cycle of past decades.”
“The Greens will be convening a health stakeholder forum to further explore this and other potential health resourcing models for Tasmania, and I will be providing further details of the forum in coming weeks.”
“The proposal for a Federal Government hospital takeover was one of the key recommendations of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission.”
“This is an option which clearly presents pros and cons, but it’s one that still deserves serious consideration.”
“If we do not put into place a long term strategic plan that eliminates the waste and addresses the need for preventative healthcare, the current elective surgery waiting times will just be the tip of the iceberg.”
“The Greens are on the record as the only party to have consistently advocated a sustainable approach to healthcare delivery focusing on prevention and early intervention, not the band-aid approach where money is squandered in good times and budgets are slashed in tough times.”
“Investing in prevention and early intervention makes good health sense and good economic sense,” Mr O’Halloran said.
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• Richard Colbeck
SENATOR THE HON RICHARD COLBECK
Senator for Tasmania
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Fisheries and Forestry
Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation, Industry and Science
M E D I A R E L E A S E
6 October 2011
Freddie Roxon dismembers Private Health
“The cuts to elective surgery funding by the Tasmanian Labor Government compounds the absurd attack of the Federal Labor Minister Nicola Roxon’s on the Private Health Insurance Rebate. Hitting Tasmanians when they can least afford it.” Tasmanian Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck said.
“The simple affect of cuts to the Rebate is to push people into the state system which we all know is severely stressed.
“It is estimated that in year one 24,459 Tasmanians will drop out of Private Health Insurance as a result of Labor’s proposals.
“With an estimated 47,495 Tasmanians also expected to downgrade their Private Heath Insurance there will be around 72,000 extra Tasmanians who will rely on the public sector
“Added to the approximate 12,000 who will miss out because of the savage cuts announced yesterday it is clear that there will be significant pain felt by the community as a result of the Labor’s poor management of the state budget and health system.
“In September 2007 Health Minister, Nicola Roxon said “Federal Labor has made it crystal clear that we are committed to retaining all the existing Private Health Insurance Rebates.”
“Not only do we have yet another Labor broken promise but we now know that, despite all the rhetoric, Labor’s much vaunted health reforms are in a shambles with Federal policy working against State policy.
“The net effect will be an increase in Public Health care cost – every dollar the government is trying to save by removing the rebate will take with it 2 dollars currently contributed by Private Health Insurers.
“Tasmania can hardly afford a further hit on the health system, Labor’s Members should abandon this breach of faith with the Tasmanian Community. “Senator Colbeck said.
•FEDERAL HEALTH FUNDING DOUBTS UNDERSCORE NEED FOR REFORM
Tasmania Still Has No Long-Term Health Plan
Paul O’Halloran MP
Greens Health Spokesperson
The Tasmanian Greens today said that uncertainty over the future of the Federal Government’s multi million dollar health funding bonus underscores the urgency and importance of the Greens’ upcoming Health Round Table.
Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP said that the current funding crisis is an opportunity to shift the focus to the need for fundamental reform of the current health resourcing model.
“These doubts over federal funding once again highlight the need for a long term plan to reduce health costs with a greater focus on preventative health and early intervention,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“The Greens will soon be announcing details of a health stakeholder forum that will look at options for a more sustainable resourcing model that would ensure that Tasmanians receive the high standard of healthcare they are entitled to expect.”
“We need a sustainable approach to healthcare delivery focusing on prevention and early intervention, not the band-aid approach where money is squandered in good times and budgets are slashed in tough times.”
“There’s way too much talk and not enough action when it comes to prevention. Tasmania is still the most obese state in the nation, but where is the focus on promoting healthier lifestyles and on preventing diseases like diabetes?”
“Health funding has been in crisis for decades because Labor and Liberal governments have not had a long term health plan.”
“If we fail to reform the system, this week’s savage budget cuts will just be beginning,” Mr O’Halloran said.
• GREENS MARK WORLD HOSPICE
AND PALLIATIVE CARE DAY
‘Hospice Without Walls’ Model Would be Win-Win
Paul O’Halloran MP
Greens Health Spokesperson
The Tasmanian Greens today marked today’s World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2011 by highlighting the ongoing shortage of dedicated palliative care beds in Tasmania, particularly in the state’s north-west.
Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP said the focus of World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2011 is on non-communicable conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, cancer, chronic respiratory conditions and diabetes, all of which make up 60 per cent of deaths world-wide.
“The theme for World Hospice and Palliative Care Day 2011 is particularly relevant Tasmania, where we have disproportionately high rates of non-communicable diseases.”
“Dedicated specialist palliative care services are not only a more compassionate option, they are also a more cost effective means of providing end-of-life care than non-specialist acute care areas such as regular hospital beds.”
Mr O’Halloran said that given the current constraints on the health budget, there’s a clear need to find cost-effective solutions for delivering palliative care services.”
“There is an urgent need to hasten the shift to a ‘hospice without walls’ model of care, whereby patients who wish to remain in their homes can receive visits from community based and trained palliative care specialist medical staff.”
“The ‘hospice without walls’ is a more flexible model that’s tailored to the individual needs of patients, and means families benefit from services within the community, rather than having to travel to and from a dedicated hospice.”
“With our ageing population and relatively high rate of diseases, like heart disease and diabetes, demand for palliative care services in the region will only continue to grow.”
“For those who don’t have the option of dying at home among their loved ones, the current lack of dedicated palliative care beds in the north-west can only add to their pain and discomfort.”
“It’s not reasonable to expect those who have reached the end of their life be far from friends and family, at a time when relief from suffering should be the only priority.”
“Providing care and relief from suffering to the dying is a basic measure of a compassionate society, but unfortunately palliative care services in Tasmania are still not able to cope with current demand let alone meet future needs.”
“Our palliative care system fails to meet national standards, because successive governments have neglected the state’s north and north-west regions in particular.”
