Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Premier, Minister for State Development, Trade and the Antarctic, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Member for Braddon; Guy Barnett, Attorney General, Minister for Justice, Minister for Health, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Member for Lyons 3 March 2024

Massive Staff And Cash Injection To Boost Royal Hobart Hospital

A re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government will provide a massive staff and cash injection to our health system, recruiting an additional 44 full-time doctors and 25 full-time nurses at the Royal Hobart Hospital Emergency Department; and undertaking $187 million in capital upgrades.

The additional staffing will ensure that the recently expanded RHH Emergency Department will be able to operate to its maximum capacity, 24/7.

While the capital upgrades will provide a host of new contemporary and fit-for-purpose health facilities.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said that building a better health system was a cornerstone of the Liberals’ 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.

“Since 2014, we’ve delivered an additional 298 hospital beds and employed an extra 2500 health professionals including 1,390 nurses – but there’s more work to do and our health system still needs to be better,” Premier Rockliff said.

“The Royal Hobart Hospital is the cornerstone of our entire state-wide health system and these upgrades and the injection of additional staff will help to ensure Tasmanians right around the state get timely access to emergency health treatment if and when they need.”

“Every day I pay tribute to our hard-working medical professionals, who are the backbone of our health system.

“By recruiting an additional 44 full-time doctors and 25 full-time nurses for the Royal Hobart Hospital, we will be able to ensure that the Royal’s recently expanded ED will be firing on all cylinders 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Minister for Health, Guy Barnett said this announcement builds on the Liberals’ strong record of investing in the Royal Hobart Hospital.

“When we came to Government the health system was a mess, and after a wasted decade the former Labor-Green Government hadn’t even laid a single brick on the RHH development,” Minister Barnett said.

Since 2014, we’ve delivered the new RHH K-block and helipad, an expanded ICU, a renovated 38-bed cardiology unit, the new outpatient and pre-admission clinics on Liverpool Street, and a $13.8 million endoscopy suite.

“We’re also building a $22 million state-of-the-art Hospital Pharmacy, and a second angiography suite.

“Now, we are delivering the next stage of improving the Royal with $187 million in further upgrades.

“We are also recruiting the health professionals we need to operate these fantastic new facilities at maximum capacity.

“The first stage of the expanded ED opened in 2023, and delivered a 34 per cent boost to capacity and additional improvements, including a new $10 million purpose-built short stay unit, which added another 28 bed spaces to improve operational efficiency, infection control and patient privacy.

“We’ve been steadily recruiting to the expanded ED since opening; the additional funding will see every one of the 82 treatment points open, for 24 hours a day.

“It will help the Hospital see more patients on time who present to Emergency, and also help meet our strict new protocols to get ambulances off the ramp, and paramedics back on the road.”

The policy:

  • Additional 44 full-time doctors and 25 full-time nurses for the RHH Emergency Department;
  • Refurbishment of A block, replacing the ageing facade, roof and further renovations;
  • A new neurology/stroke ward delivering services for patients with stroke, neurological disorders or acquired brain injury;
  • A new rapid assessment medical unit;
  • A new medical sub-specialties ward;
  • The co-location of cancer services and medical services to support improved patient experiences; and
  • Refurbishment of the older persons unit into a secure ward to meet the needs of those suffering dementia.

Cost: Invest $88 million over four years for staff, and $187 million over six years for capital upgrades.

Liberals To Undertake Biggest Renovation Of LGH ED In Four Decades

A re-elected majority Liberal Government will nearly double the size of the Emergency Department at the Launceston General Hospital as part of a new $53 million redevelopment.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said that building a better health system was a cornerstone of the Liberals’ 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.

“We’re already investing $580 million in the LGH Stage 2 redevelopment, and now we’re boosting that to $633 million with an addition $53 million,” Premier Rockliff said.

“The Emergency Department Expansion will nearly double the size of the existing ED floor space to meet the increasing demand today, and into the future.

“This will be the single biggest renovation of the Emergency Department since it was built over four decades ago in 1981, expanding the ED across two floors.

“The expansion will include a new and improved Emergency Medical Unit for patients who’ll be discharged in less than 24 hours, and a new and improved Acute Medical Unit for patients needing just a couple of days admission.

“It will also include an expanded fast track area, new waiting area and an improved public entrance.

“We’ll also build a new multi-story carpark on the corner of Howick and Charles Streets to cater for additional services and demand at the LGH, to commence late 2024.

“Every single element of the expansion will help to lower waiting times and improve health outcomes for every local needing emergency care at the LGH.

“We’ve come a long way since our election, delivering an extra 298 hospital beds statewide and 2,500 health professionals including 1,390 nurses, but we know that there’s still more work to do.

“Just last year, there were around 47,000 presentations to the LGH emergency department, and as our population grows and we all age, that will only increase.

“That’s why this $53 million Emergency Department Expansion is so important to the North, and its surrounds.

The Minister for Health Guy Barnett said the expansion was an important addition to the work that’s already in full swing at the LGH.

“Our 10-year redevelopment plan for the LGH is delivering critical health services for Launceston and the north of the state,” Minister Barnett said.

“Our $580 million investment in Stage Two at the LGH has already delivered a new Women’s and Children’s precinct, the Anne O’Byrne Education Centre and newly refurbished 38 bed medical ward.

“This is a big turnaround from the dark days in health under the Labor-Green minority, when they cut the health budget, shut wards and sacked one nurse a day for nine months.

“What’s worse, is that right here at the LGH, Labor and the Greens took the beds out of the wards and put them in storage.

“In contrast, our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future is all about taking more action now on the issues affecting Tasmanians, including health.”

Detailed planning and scoping work will start immediately under a re-elected majority Liberal Government, with design and tenders to follow, before construction which is scheduled to begin in 2025.

Liberals To Deliver $174.8 Million NWRH And Mersey Master Plan

The North-West Regional and Mersey Community Hospitals will undergo a range of transformative upgrades including new buildings, new wards and new specialist service units through a package of measures valued at nearly $175 million.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said that building a better health system was a cornerstone of the Liberals’ 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.

“Our 2030 Strong Plan is all about taking more action now on the issues affecting Tasmanians, including health,” Premier Rockliff said.

“A re-elected majority Liberal Government will transform healthcare for the north-west with a North-West Hospitals Masterplan that lays out a 20-year vision for the region’s two major hospitals.

“Over the next four years, we will invest $174.8 million across the North-West Regional Hospital and the Mersey Community Hospital as part of Stage 1 of our Master Plan.

“At the North-West Regional Hospital, this will deliver a brand new Medical Inpatient building that will include a medical ward, critical clinical diagnostics, dialysis and a lung function lab. We will also build much-needed carparking for patients, family and staff.

“At the Mersey Community Hospital, this will deliver a new sub-acute building for medical oncology services and an inpatient unit for geriatric evaluation and management.

“Our health is so important, and no matter where you live in Tasmania you deserve access to the best hospitals and expert medical staff, and that’s what our North West Hospitals Masterplan will provide.

“This is a 20-year vision that paves the way for decade after decade of carefully planned improvements to acute medical services to meet the growing and changing needs of locals.

“This builds on our strong record of investing in the north-west, including construction of a new Mental Health Precinct underway at the NWRH to replace the ageing Spencer Clinic, while delivering new outpatient clinics, theatre spaces and an expanded medical unit at the Mersey.”

Minister for Health Guy Barnett said the full 20-year Master Plan is a $1.4 billion investment in the health of the north-west.

“We have a vision for the north-west that will ensure patients and staff have the best hospitals and best outcomes for patients,” Minister Barnett said.

“We will work with the Federal Government to secure a funding partnership for these critical projects, just as they have invested in other states.

“Every step of the way there will be opportunities for staff, stakeholders and the community to be involved in detailed planning so we can respond to the changing needs of locals and the workforce, with a constant focus on improving patient outcomes for north-west Tasmania.

“We have a strong record of delivering on our commitments, including an extra 298 hospital beds state-wide and 2,500 health professionals including 1,390 nurses since we were elected.

“In contrast, Labor and the Greens cut the health budget, shut wards and sacked nurses. As people of the north-west will remember, they tried to downgrade the Mersey. What’s worse, is after a federal takeover of the Mersey and resulting windfall, they sent over half that money south.

“Under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future we will take action now on health.”

Strong Plan For A Better Health System: Ambulance Ramping To Be Banned

A re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government will move decisively to make ambulance ramping a thing of the past, as part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.

“Since our election, we’ve delivered an additional 298 hospital beds and employed an extra 2,500 health professionals including 1,390 nurses – but there’s more work to do and our health system still needs to be better,” Premier Jeremy Rockliff said.

“When there’s an emergency, I know just how important it is to get quick access to an ambulance, and to hospital.

“But sometimes, there’s delays – ramping.

“Ramping is a serious problem – and we’re going to fix it.

“Earlier this month, we announced a new protocol mandating a maximum 60-minute window for all patients arriving by ambulance to be transferred to the care of Emergency Department staff.

“A re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government will go one step further – we’re going to reduce this 60-minute window, to 30 minutes.

“Thirty minutes is around the average time it takes an ambulance crew to safely transfer their patient to the care of the hospital.

“Which means that effectively, we’re going to be banning ramping.

“This will mean that Tasmanians in need of emergency care will get the specialist care they need, as soon as possible.

“And our paramedics will be freed up to deal with other emergencies.”

Health Minister, Guy Barnett, said that the initiative would be progressively implemented over the next two years in close consultation with paramedics, medical professionals, and unions.

“The first stage of this policy mandating a 60-minute window for patient transfer will commence in the State’s North West next week, 18th March in the North, and 25 March in the South,” Minister Barnett said.

“We will then move to a 45 minute window in the second half of next year, with the aim of fully implementing the 30 minute transfer window the following year.

“Importantly, to support the implementation of this ramping policy, we are going to be employing an additional 44 new doctors and 25 new nurses to staff the Royal’s expanded Emergency Department, increasing its operational capacity by around 30 percent, 24/7.

“With around 40 per cent of presentations at our EDs currently being from Tasmanians who could be treated by a GP, our new GP Guarantee will also assist in the implementation of this policy by reducing pressure on our State’s Emergency Departments.”

The ramping policy is an important part of the once-in-a-generation package of measures announced today by the Premier to build a better health system.

Along with the Liberals’ new GP Guarantee, and massive infrastructure upgrades across the State’s four public hospitals, this ramping policy will help to build an even better health system for all Tasmanians.

Media release – Rebecca White MP, Tasmanian Labor Leader; Anita Dow MP, Shadow Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, 3 March 2024

Immediate health action plan for a Better Future

A Rebecca White Labor Government is committed to repairing our broken health system and ensuring a better future for all Tasmanians and Tasmanian healthcare workers.

Labor’s plan for Immediate Action on Health is a commitment to redevelop our hospitals, rebuild our workforce and improve access to care within our first term of office.

Redeveloping our hospitals

We will make redevelopments at our major hospitals our highest priority for Federal Government funding in our first term, working with them to deliver these projects sooner.

Under the Rockliff Government, the LGH redevelopment will not be complete until 2032, RHH not until 2050 and the North West Hospitals redevelopment plans have not started. There hasn’t been a cent of Federal funding locked in for any of this work. Tasmanians can’t afford to wait any longer.

Rebuilding our workforce

We will make 500 health workers permanent within our first term, including doctors, paramedics, nurses, and midwives. The use of short-term contracts and casualisation of the health workforce has forced hundreds of talented health workers out of our state. We want to keep Tasmanian health care workers in Tasmania.

We will boost the number of staff in our public hospitals to improve patient flow and help reduce emergency wait times. In our first term, we will invest $4.8 million p/a to employ 32 new staff, transfer initiative nurses, patient flow commanders, psychiatric emergency nurses and discharge planners to help with safer admissions and discharges.

Improving access to care

We will immediately double the number of hospital in the home beds state-wide so more patients can be treated in the comfort of their own home, while also alleviating pressure on our busy hospitals. We will double the amount of community beds from 22 to 44 beds at a cost of $2.5 million a year.

We will double the number of community paramedic hubs so more people can be treated at home rather than travelling to our busy hospitals. Community Paramedics are highly trained to treat more illnesses and injuries. We will invest $2.6 million to buy 3 new community paramedicine vehicles and additional 12 paramedics will be deployed at St Marys, Claremont and Mowbray.

We will also expand the Mental Health Emergency Response Service (Police, Ambulance, and Clinician Early Response) state wide to include a permanent presence in the Northwest and in Launceston.

Quotes attributable to Labor Leader Rebecca White:

When I visit hospitals and EDs the issue I hear about most often is experienced nurses and midwives leaving because they are overworked and under-resourced.

People are at the heart of our plan. Without the nurses, paramedics and GPs to deliver healthcare, we won’t have a functioning health system. It’s time for a better future, with a government that looks after them.

It’s time for a better future for our healthcare workers, and I’m committed to ensuring the people who look after us, feel looked after by their government.

Almost 100,000 people were languishing on waiting lists in Tasmania as of the end of January 2024, with the average outpatient wait time sitting at 385 days. This is not good enough.

We need a fresh start, common sense approach to health so Tasmanians get the care they deserve where and when they need it.

That’s why I am proud to launch our immediate action plan for health that we have developed in collaboration with the nurses and doctors who work day in and day out to care for us.

Quotes attributable to Anita Dow:

This is the first step to retain more health staff in areas that need them the most and alleviate pressure on our emergency departments.

It is critical we have a government that listens to our key workers so we can deliver a standard of healthcare that Tasmanians deserve.

The Immediate Action Plan is in addition to Labor’s Regional Health Plan and our free community health checks program.

After 10 years under the Liberals, our hospitals and health system has been left understaffed and over-stretched.

After 10 years in Government, the Liberals have given up on health. This is not only costing taxpayer dollars, it’s costing Tasmanians their lives and driving healthcare workers out of the state.

An immediate priority of a Labor government is to take pressure off our public hospitals and relieve ambulance ramping pressures.

Anita Dow MP, Shadow Health Minister, 3 March 2024

Rockliff’s re-heated hospitals announcement a spectacular own-goal

If Tasmanians needed a reminder of just how out of ideas this tired, 10 year-old Liberal government has become, Jeremy Rockliff served them one for breakfast today – with a big side dish of broken promises.

Mr Rockliff’s re-heated Royal Hobart Hospital announcement is exactly the same series of upgrades the Liberals promised at the last election, and have failed to deliver.

  • A new neurology/stroke ward? Promised at the last election, and not delivered.
  • A new rapid assessment medical unit? Promised, and not delivered.
  • A new medical sub-specialties ward? Promised, and not delivered.
  • The co-location of cancer services and medical services? Promised, and not delivered.

These were all upgrades the Liberals told Tasmanians they would “commence during the next term of the Government”. If they didn’t deliver after the last election, why would Tasmanians believe this time will be any different?

After 10 years in government, the best the Liberals could come up with to address Tasmania’s health issues was to dust off an old policy and press release and send it out again.

And it’s the same story at the Launceston General Hospital.

Last election the Liberals promised a $580 million upgrade, and pledged “the Australian Government will be approached to partner in the funding of this significant redevelopment.”

Not only has Jeremy Rockliff failed to deliver the promised redevelopment, he has not even managed to put a funding proposal to the Federal Government. Why would anyone believe that this time will be any different?

The fact is the health system in Tasmania is in the worst shape it has ever been.

If the Liberals haven’t delivered in 10 years, they never will. Don’t give them 14.

Ramping “ban” disrespectful to patients and healthcare workers

The Liberals have had 10 years to address ambulance ramping. Instead of fixing the problem, ramping has doubled on their watch.

Jeremy Rockliff’s announcement today that he’ll “ban ramping” is ridiculous, and shows the Liberals are completely out of ideas after 10 years in office.

This is a totally unserious policy. Who is going to care for the ambulance patients he’s planning to dump in overcrowded EDs?

And what on earth is the Premier going to propose next?

“Banning” health waiting lists, which have increased to nearly 100,000 on their watch?

“Banning” health workers leaving in droves, for better pay and conditions on the mainland?

Today’s announcement from the Premier shows he has no serious ideas to improve Tasmania’s health system, which is in the worst shape it has ever been.

If the Liberals haven’t come up with any serious ideas after 10 years, they never will.

Media release – Tasmanian Greens, 3 March 2024

Greens call on Libs and Labor to commit funding to support nurses

The Greens are today announcing a $20 million commitment to establish a northern Health Education and Research Centre (HERC) in Kings Meadows – a specialised training facility backed by the ANMF that delivers tailored professional development and training for a range of health care professionals, including a Diploma of Nursing.

Given the huge benefits and affordable price tag, Greens candidate for Bass Cecily Rosol is also calling on the Liberal and Labor parties to match this commitment to make sure this important project is delivered no matter who forms government.

There is currently only one provider in the north and north-west Tasmania that offers the Diploma of Nursing. For those wanting a choice of provider or access to low-cost or free training through state and federally funded programs they must commit to travel up to four hours twice a week to attend HERC’s southern campus.

A Launceston-based HERC would provide a much-needed alternative for the Diploma of Nursing in Northern Tasmania, help facilitate a second supply of Enrolled nurses into the workforce to meet the already overwhelming demand, and provide ongoing training support for hundreds of nurses each year. Preparation and planning are underway to expand HERC operations into the north of the state – the project now hinges on funding.

Quotes attributable to Greens candidate for Bass, Cecily Rosol:

“We don’t need a billion-dollar stadium in Hobart, we need to fix the health crisis – starting with fixing the nursing shortage and improving support for the nursing and midwifery workforce here in Launceston.

“For nine years southern Tasmania has benefited from a Health Education and Research Centre, it’s beyond time the state’s north was afforded the same facility to help attract, train and retain nurses.

“A key function of the HERC includes providing graduate nurses with a mentor during their transition into the workforce. Our nursing and healthcare workers look after us when we most need it – it’s time we look after them.

“Providing an important new pathway into the nursing profession in northern Tasmania would undoubtedly help ease the strain on the existing workforce – and as someone who has worked on the ground as a nurse in Tasmania, I cannot stress enough how critical this is.

“This facility is so important and so affordable it should be a no-brainer for Liberal and Labor parties to get behind.

“The Greens are proud to back the ANMF’s calls by committing the $20 million needed to make a northern HERC a reality, and I urge the Liberals and Labor to get on board too and ensure this project goes ahead regardless of who forms government.”

Media release – Tasmanian Greens, 1 March 2024

Greens release preventative health plan

The Greens have today launched their preventative health plan. Tasmania needs real change to ensure our hospitals give better care, but unless we start making preventative health a major focus, the underlying challenges facing the system will only grow in years ahead.

The Greens will:

  • Fight to extend the ‘Healthy Tasmania’ grants program for community based preventative health initiatives to $5 million per year, and fund it beyond 2026.

  • Advocate to extend the SmartFood and Move Well Eat Well programs to all public schools, to promote healthy eating and exercise.

  • Push to establish a program for free, government-funded, smoking cessation product handouts in GP clinics.

  • Fight for a health and wellness App fund.

  • Champion the establishment of a Healthy Eating Advisory service in Tasmania, to assist organisations and businesses promote healthier foods and drinks.

Quotes attributable to Greens candidate for Braddon, Dr Darren Briggs:

“There’s been a lot of headlines about the struggles in Tasmania’s hospitals – and rightly so. The situation is really serious, and the Liberals have basically ignored the problems while they’ve instead focused on building a billion-dollar stadium in Hobart.

“We definitely need to see some big changes to make sure our hospitals can give better care to our community, and the Greens have been pushing for those changes. But unless we make preventative health a priority then we’re going to be fighting a steep uphill battle in the years ahead.

“As a doctor, every day I see patients who are experiencing health issues that could and should be avoided. I do everything I can to help them, but really prevention is the best cure.

“I’m really proud to launch this first set of preventative health policies for the Greens. These are some really important measures that I think will move things in the right direction.

“These aren’t controversial ideas – but politicians don’t focus on them much because they don’t get to put on the high-vis, and because the benefits are not always easy to see immediately.

“The Greens are hoping to bring more attention to preventative health, and I’m looking forward to sharing more policies in this area with the community.”

Editor’s note: here’s the Health Minister’s response to ramping, before the election campaign.