On New Health Minister …

Media release – Guy Barnett, Minister for Health, 26 July 2023

Hitting ground running: listening to healthcare workers

New Minister for Health, Guy Barnett, has hit the ground running today touring one of the state’s major hospitals, engaging directly with health staff and patients.

Meeting with frontline health workers today at the Royal Hobart Hospital, Minister Barnett has acknowledged and thanked the many thousands who work within the Tasmanian Health Service.

“It has been wonderful to spend time here with the staff at the hospital today, listening to them and hearing first-hand their stories, and why they are so passionate about what they do,” Minister Barnett said.

“The Premier has led significant reform right across the health system and we have accomplished some great things for the people of Tasmania.

“I’m excited to build on this momentum and continue to deliver positive improvements so that all Tasmanians can access the health care system they deserve.

“Our health system is in a far better place than it has been for many years.

“Elective surgery waiting lists have come down by 30 per cent since January 2021 and we’re operating on more elective surgery patients per capita than anywhere else.

“And, the establishment of new, innovative services are enabling us to treat more people in the community, and in their homes.

“Our record investment of $12.1 billion over the next four years – more than $8.3 million each and every day – demonstrates just how committed we are to continuing to deliver our long term plan, and boost the health of all Tasmanians.

“This investment is already delivering significant improvements.

“But we know there is more to do.

“That’s why I will continue to listen and engage with our workers and our key stakeholders over the next few weeks and I look forward to meeting more of our frontline health workers and dedicated volunteers in the coming weeks, not only at our major hospitals but also in our rural facilities and ambulance stations across the State.”

“The Tasmanian Liberal Government continues to deliver the best health outcomes for Tasmanians – whether that is in our hospitals, in their homes, or providing opportunities to lead active, healthy lifestyles.”

Media release – Anita Dow MP, Shadow Minister for Health, 26 July 2023

Minister Barnett must take health seriously – no spin, no props!

Minister Guy Barnett has finally raised his head above the pulpit days after being named the new Health Minister for the state.

Minister Barnett has a track record of failing as the Energy Minister and as the Housing Minister – and now following the Premier dropping health, he’s been given the key to the largest portfolio in Health.

There are serious concerns Minister Barnett will be unable to deliver for Tasmanians at a time where the health system is the worst it has ever been.

The first thing the Minister could do is support Tasmanian Labor’s plan to increase the number of health professionals, beds and services in rural and regional parts of the state, which in turn would reduce pressure placed on emergency departments and ambulance ramping.

He should listen and work proactively with the state’s ambulance service to recruit the 126 paramedics required across the state to reduce ambulance ramping and wait times that have blown out since the Liberals have been in government.

Next, Minister Barnett should improve the goodwill with our hardworking health professionals by finalising the deal with the ANMF and put in place a workforce retention and recruitment plan to relieve the pressure on our nurses.

What is Minister Barnett’s plan for the 57,637 adults waiting for outpatient specialist appointments and ensuring that children are not waiting three years to access an Ear Nose and Throat specialist?

I urge the Minister to tour the Launceston General Hospital, like he has today in the South, and fund the $580 million for the LGH’s stage 2 redevelopment.

The Minister has a massive job ahead of him if he is to address the health crisis and fix the mess left by his minority Liberal Government over the past 10 years.

Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MP, Acting Greens Leader, 26 July 2023

New Approach Needed from New Health Minister

Tasmania has a new Minister taking over the Health portfolio, but this will be a meaningless step for Tasmanians in need of critical health services unless it’s accompanied by a new approach.

For too long we’ve seen the Liberals neglect and seriously underfund the health system. Across their near decade in office this government has refused to put a real focus on preventative health, ignored chronic and dangerous understaffing in hospitals, and failed to deliver critical infrastructure in a timely way.

The issues in health are complex, and they can’t be solved overnight, but the approach the Liberals are taking now is clearly failing.

Look at the location of Guy Barnett’s first press conference in his new role – the Royal Hobart Hospital. Nearly half of all patients arriving by ambulance to the Royal are now ramped, and half of emergency department patients aren’t seen within clinically safe timeframes.

To turn the terrible situation in health around we need a new, more ambitious approach. The new Health Minister needs to start his new job by admitting the state of the health system is simply unacceptable, and by committing to doing things differently.

We need to see an ambitious growth in investment, not just small budget increases to keep up with inflation. With other states jockeying to hire critical health staff, Tasmania needs to be on the front foot with a bold plan to tackle chronic understaffing and to build the workforce we need for a sustainable and functional health system. And we need a genuine focus on preventative health to keep people well and out of hospital in the first place.

There’s a whole range of things this Minister needs to do differently to his predecessors, but one crucial area is taking on board the concerns of health unions and health staff. People working in hospitals, health centres, and the ambulance service have invaluable insights into the improvements that can and need to be made – but they need a Minister who will listen.

For the sake of every Tasmanian, we hope Guy Barnett is up to the task.