MINISTER DROPS THE BALL ON MERSEY HOSPITAL ELECTIVE SURGERY NEGOTIATIONS

The Tasmanian Greens today said the Health Minister, Michelle O’Byrne, must focus on the opportunity that the Mersey Hospital in Latrobe could provide for the many north-west Tasmanians waiting to access elective surgery facilities.

Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP said it is very disappointing that despite raising this proposal in Parliament last month and also writing to both the State and Federal Ministers, it does not appear that the Minister has raised this formally with her federal counterpart as requested.

“Tasmanians around the state are deeply concerned about the potential of the health budget cuts, and they deserve to know that all options have been rigorously examined by the Minister,” Mr O’Halloran said.

“Despite my question in the Parliament on the 19th of October calling for Minister O’Byrne to enter into negotiations with Nicola Roxon for the Mersey Hospital to further develop its specialisation in short stay elective surgery procedures, and my subsequent letter dated the 2nd of November to both Ministers urging this be examined as a matter of priority, it does not appear formal negotiations have been entered into.”

“This lack of action is very disappointing.”

“With approximately 15 beds closed at the North West Hospital, and the apparent additional capacity at the Mersey to pick up some of the slack created by state budget cuts to elective surgery, now is the time to get on, sit down and start to seriously negotiate access to these facilities to assist patients displaced from other hospitals.”

“The call for negotiations to be entered into regarding the elective surgery capacity at the Mersey was constructive, practical and should be taken seriously.”

“Or if not, north-west Tasmanians deserve at least a serious explanation as to why this option is not feasible,” Mr O’Halloran said.

Download:
1. Letter from Paul O’Halloran MP to the State Minister for Health, Michelle O’Byrne MP, 2 Nov 2011 (1pg);
2. Letter from Paul O’Halloran MP to the Federal Minister for Health, Nicola Roxon MP, 2 Nov 2011 (1pg).
Nov15_Letter_Mersey_Hospital_Access-2_Nov_2011_M_OByrne_P_OHalloran_ATTACH1.pdf
Nov15_Letter_Mersey_Hospital_Access_N_Roxon-2_Nov_2011_P_OHalloran_ATTACH2.pdf
Paul O’Halloran MP Greens Health spokesperson