The Australian Medical Association (AMA) Tasmania has welcomed the confirmation of the
additional $100 million investment over four years in Tasmania’s front line health services as
announced in today’s State Budget.
AMA Tasmania President A/Prof Tim Greenaway said the additional $100 million investment
would provide essential public hospital services including elective and emergency services.
“While there has been little detail provided with this announcement, we applaud this
investment especially given the recent AMA Public Hospital Report Card 2015 which
revealed our public hospital system was not meeting clinical demands and is only set to get
worse,” A/Prof Greenaway said.
“We welcome this funding for front line health services and the move to turn around the
fortune of our public hospital system.”
A/Prof Greenaway said the AMA also welcomed the announcement of an additional $24
million investment in transport infrastructure and coordination.
“It is positive to see the State Government has taken into consideration the feedback gained
from the health system reform consultation process and will now be making this investment
to improve patient transport through upgrading infrastructure and equipment to ensure
patients get to where they need to be for treatment,” he said.
“We also particularly welcome the announcement of an additional $2.4 million over four
years for Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services to address historical under
resourcing of this vital sector.
“The AMA Tasmania also notes the two-year Heads of Agreement between the Federal and
Tasmanian Government’s to provide $148.5 million to ensure the Mersey Community
Hospital continues to play an integral role in the health of the local community.
“This agreement also paves the way for the continuation of the Tasmanian Government’s
health reform process.
“The AMA welcomes the broad approach and the initiatives announced today, but in the end
however the devil will be in the detail and we look forward to sitting down and reviewing the
budget documents closely.”
AMA President A/Prof Tim Greenaway
