The Commonwealth Government must intervene at the Launceston General Hospital (LGH) to ensure mental health patients are no longer faced with the danger and indignity of having to wait for days in the emergency room at the LGH.
“We have heard today that one mental health patient was forced to wait four days in emergency due to bed block and another three patients were forced to wait three days. This is an utter disgrace and the disorder at the LGH can’t be left to continue, ” Senator Polley said.
Here we are during one of the busiest times of the year, heading into the Christmas and the New Year and we have a State Government that has lost control of our health system and we have an overworked and already stressed workforce.
Bed block means delays in not just admission but more importantly, treatment. There is no guarantee at the moment that people with mental health issues are able to be provided the care when they need it most.
“In June we heard that 9 of 11 specialist doctors from the hospital’s emergency department were resigning, retiring or reducing their hours because they could not deliver appropriate levels of care to patients due to a lack of resources provided to them by the Hodgman State Government. Then, in August we learnt that half a dozen people were waiting in emergency indefinitely at the LGH,” Senator Polley said.
Enough is enough, the LGH has witnessed crisis after crisis this year. The State Health Minister Michael Ferguson has not been able to manage these crisis, the Premier is silent, it is time for the Federal Health Minister Sussan Ley to step in whereby the Commonwealth intervenes into our health system crisis.
Being forced to wait up to four days for treatment in a first world country is an avoidable situation. Not being able to see a medical specialist only leads to more stress and trauma for any patient” Senator Polley said.
The fact is there are not enough acute mental health beds and the State Government does not want to admit this. It is time for the Federal Government to step in to address this issue.
**For 24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention services call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Other services include Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467, Beyondblue: 1300 22 4636, Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800, MensLine Australia: 1300 789 978 **
SENATOR HELEN POLLEY SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER TO THE LEADER (TASMANIA) SHADOW ASSISTANT MINISTER FOR AGEING SENATOR FOR TASMANIA