Women and families from all parts of Tasmania are being given greater access to specialised healthcare services with the official opening of the Women’s Health Outpatient Clinic in Hobart.
Part of the new clinic includes the Feto-Maternal Unit, providing specialised care for pregnant women with complex needs, such as multiple pregnancy or significant medical conditions.
The Feto-Maternal Unit means more women with complex pregnancies can stay at home longer, reducing the likelihood of hospital admissions by providing intensive outpatient care and monitoring.
The new outpatient clinic also includes improved facilities for pregnant women, breast feeding support, gynaecology, colposcopy and gynaecologic oncology. More consultation rooms provide much needed space to improve the healthcare, and privacy of women and their families.
The Liberal Government is laying the foundations for a long-term healthcare system that ensures the right services are in the right place so patients get the right treatment at the right time.
The overhaul of our health system is aimed squarely at putting the needs of patients back where they belong – at the centre of every decision.
This stands in contrast to the former Labor-Green Government, which failed to give Tasmanians the healthcare they need and deserve. Under Labor, this facility, leased and ready for work, lay vacant for 12 months.
During 2013-14, over 20,000 Women’s Health Outpatient appointments were attended- that is around 80 each day- and this is expected to increase with these new facilities, including the Feto-Maternal Unit.
The Women’s Health Outpatient Clinic is the final redeveloped service to be delivered under Phase One of the Royal Hobart Hospital Redevelopment.
The Liberal Government remains committed to rescuing the Royal Hobart Hospital and delivering the health care Tasmanians need and deserve.
Michael Ferguson, Minister for Health
