• Minister Ferguson ignores clinicians for months and then caves in to political pressure
• Staff kept in the dark as the Government changes its mind
• Handing of acute mental health services by Liberals has been appalling
• Government can’t spin its way out of this one
The Liberal Government’s eleventh hour backflip on the Mental Health Observation Unit at the Royal Hobart Hospital is a slap in the face to staff.
“Announcing on Saturday morning when staff had been told the Unit was opening on Monday is completely unacceptable,” Shadow Minister for Mental Health Sarah Lovell said.
“Staff have been kept in the dark about this decision. One employee has contacted Labor to say they learned of the change via the media.
“This creates enormous uncertainly for staff.
“Senior clinicians have been voicing their concerns for months about the suitability of the unit but the Government has stubbornly refused to listen.
“Only now, with the Liberal Party under considerable political pressure, do we see the Minister respond.
“Months have been wasted due to the Government’s arrogance when the time could have been spent exploring alternative options.
“Michael Ferguson’s handling of acute mental health services has been appalling.
“We need a government that will listen to doctors when they first raise concerns, not after political pressure comes on.”
Sarah Lovell MLC Shadow Minister for Mental Health
