The Hodgman Liberal Government is rebuilding Tasmania’s broken health system.
Today the final annual reports of the Tasmanian Health Organisations were tabled, marking an end to the three year operation of the THOs.
By creating a single system, we are delivering better and safer results for patients by reducing wasteful duplication, freeing up funding for services that Tasmanians need, when they need them.
The Hodgman Liberal Government is committed to a health system that will deliver more effective and efficient health care for all Tasmanians.
THO-North, THO-North West and THO-South were amalgamated on 1 July 2015 to become the Tasmanian Health Service.
Highlights of the reports include:
• The North West Regional Hospital ED was completed at the end of June 2015, and has tripled in size from the previous unit (part of the North West Regional Cancer Centre rebuild project above).The new ED offers a contemporary environment and features eight additional general treatment cubicles (with two specific paediatric treatment cubicles), new waiting areas, a new front reception, an expanded ambulance bay, a dedicated secure mental health room, an isolation room, a decontamination unit, short stay/acute medical unit and a four bay discharge lounge.
• The $446,000 Mersey Hospital Medical Day Procedure Unit redevelopment has involved the relocation of the unit to vacant space on the MCH Surgical Ward. The unit is now positioned closer to complementary hospital services including stomal therapy and the Outpatients Clinic, which has made the treatment journey smoother for patients. A telehealth facility has been installed within the unit for patient consultation.
• The Royal Hobart Hospital Redevelopment Project continues to progress with early demolition works underway.
• Levels of public dental services provided by the RHH to the community increased.
• Admissions to the RHH increased by three per cent and presentations to the RHH Emergency Department increased 4.5 per cent.
• The former THO-South worked with Health Services Innovation Tasmania to deliver a Clinical Redesign programme across several strategic projects including outpatient services and Emergency Department access and flow.
• The Launceston General Hospital performed 4,624 baseline elective surgery cases which was 4.5 per cent above its baseline elective surgery admission target. In addition, the LGH performed a further 319 cases from the Tasmanian Government’s Rebuilding Health Services in Tasmania package and 435 cases through the federally funded Tasmanian Health Assistance Package.
• Across the former THO-North, more than $13 million was spent on key capital projects including:
o The redevelopment of the Flinders Island Multipurpose Centre
o Back-up generators for facilities in Launceston, Deloraine, Campbell Town and St Mary’s,
o Expansion of operating theatre capacity.
The transition to the single Tasmanian Health Service is progressing and I want to thank the former and current governing councils, management and staff involved. Tasmanians can be assured we are working hard to fix the health system to ensure they receive the health support they need and deserve.
Michael Ferguson, Minister for Health
