 Labor’s Health Crisis Talks continue to confirm worst fears of medical staff
 Hodgman and Ferguson refuse to listen and act
 Every major Tasmanian hospital at breaking point

Premier Will Hodgman and his Health Minister cannot continue to ignore the crucial concerns of frontline medical staff who continue to warn them of a hospital system at breaking point.
As Labor’s statewide series of health crisis talks today reached Launceston with a tour of the LGH Emergency Department, Labor Leader Rebecca White said the clear message to the Hodgman Liberal Government from staff was that the hospital system was unable to cope as winter approached and demand rapidly increased.
Ms White said in addition to today’s LGH tour, she had so far visited the Royal Hobart Hospital and the North West Regional Hospital in Burnie and it was plain to see that frontline staff were being pushed to the limit because they were not being provided with the resources they need by government.
“It’s an absolute mystery to staff and to patients how Mr Hodgman can claim there is no crisis and Mr Ferguson can claim our hospitals are adequately resourced when it’s clear to everyone working in the system – and patients attending our hospitals – that is simply not true,” Ms White said.
“Doctors, nurses, allied health professionals and other frontline staff are right to question why they have been pushed to breaking point.
“Tasmanians who depend on our hospital system are right to question why the Government has not only cut resources but now that we are in a crisis, the Premier and Health Minister refuse to acknowledge the situation and act.
“The reality is the Tasmanian hospital system is in a very frightening position and is struggling to cope before we have even entered the busiest time of the year.
“Mr Hodgman and Mr Ferguson have placed our hospitals in a very dangerous position.
“They must start listening and they must start acting to repair the damage and resource our hospitals so staff are able to provide Tasmanians with the care they require.”
Rebecca White MP Labor Leader