… TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE IMMINENT CLOSURE OF NORTHERN
TASMANIA’S ONLY PUBLIC REHABILITION FACILITY – THE JOHN L GROVE UNIT.
FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THIS VITAL SERVICE WILL CEASE AS OF 30 JUNE 2015, AND THE STATE
GOVERNMENT IS REFUSING TO COMMIT TO MAINTAINING THE SERVICE.

The John L. Grove unit is the 20 bed rehabilitation centre of the Launceston General Hospital that is facing
closure. Federal funding ceases in two months time, and to date the State Government has refused to
commit to keeping the centre open.

“The loss of this service would be a devastating blow to Northern Tasmanians. The John L Grove unit
provides a unique model of care, with 65% of patients returning to their home environment, and thereby
avoiding additional hospital care.” said Robbie Moore, HACSU Assistant State Secretary.

The John L Grove has been receiving federal funding via the National Partnerships Agreement over the last 18
months, and successfully treats a wide range of slow stream rehabilitation patients.

“Staff are passionate about the success of this unit. 30% of their patients come from the acute surgical wards
of the LGH, which frees up those beds for surgical cases. This in turn helps reduce the already long waiting list
for elective surgery in Tasmania”, said Robbie Moore.

“To close this unit would be both foolish and short sighted, as the consequence will be additional bed block at
the Launceston General Hospital. Without a centre like this, patients can spend literally years in hospital, as
there is nowhere for them to be released to.

“This unit had $4.7 million dollars worth of refurbishment in 2013 – so it would be the most appalling waste
of public money to close it down. It will also mean that Northern Tasmania would have no public rehabilitation
centre.

“There are a significant amount of staff who have no idea what the future holds for them and their
patients. 30 Nurses, 11 Hospital Assistants, 8 Allied Health Professionals, 4 Allied Health Assistants and 1
Administration Ward Clerk are all distressed about the possibility of closure and the absence of
communication from the State Government about their plans.

“The responsibility for the future of these vital rehabilitation services is now firmly in the hands of the state
Government.”

WORKERS WILL BE RALLYING AT 2.30PM ON THURSDAY 30 APRIL.
Tim Jacobson, Secretary of the Health and Community Services Union