WAITING LISTS: A Cry from the Heart 4

A reaction to the Mercury’s story HERE: Tasmanian surgery waiting times the worst in the country

Premier Will Hodgman said on Southern Cross News that he supports any action against suicide …

What gets to me is that the Premier and his government don’t care about all the Tasmanians who are waiting to see a surgeon about having their knees or hips replaced.

I myself have depression and have been waiting since February 2016 in severe pain (pain level 8 out of 10) just to see the surgeon.

I have been told by the Royal Hobart Hospital that I have to wait three years to see the surgeon.

Like so many other Tasmanians who are waiting I have felt like ending it …

If the Premier or the Health Minister have any sense of compassion for us they would not let us suffer like this.

To put it plainly we are living in Tasmania – the best state in Australia – not in a Third World country.

• Mike Bolan in Comments: … As long as politicians and governments are featherbedded by their benefits and there remains a growing disparity between those who pay taxes and those who receive them, our social contract is grossly distorted and will continue to create disadvantage and resentment.