The looming collapse of private health provider Healthscope has been flagged independent MHR for Clark, Andrew Wilkie
“Surely the news that Healthscope is likely to enter administration this week will be enough to awaken the Tasmanian Government from its health policy and funding slumber,” Wilkie said.
“Healthscope owns Hobart Private Hospital, so any question mark over the future of Healthscope is obviously a question mark over the very future of Hobart Private.”
The recently-reelected Wilkie said he raised the matter months ago and was ignored by the Tasmanian Government, despite the critical role of Hobart Private Hospital in southern Tasmania’s hospital system.
He warned that if HPH closes – this has not been ruled out by Healthscope – there will be a significant additional burden on Tasmania’s public hospitals and clinics.
“The State Government needs to sort its priorities and get out today and let the community know what it’s doing about this potentially calamitous situation,” he said.
“Is it in discussions with Healthscope and the Federal Government? What is its contingency plan in case Hobart Private closes? Is it prepared to buy Hobart Private and roll it in to the public hospital system? The community needs answers, and it needs them right now.”
Labor Shadow Minister for Health Ella Haddad echoed the concerns.
“Premier Rockliff and Minister Petrusma must urgently explain what they are doing to keep vital health services running and support those who rely on them,” she said.
“It’s also extremely disappointing that dedicated workers had to find out about the potential collapse of their workplace through the media. These are people who work tirelessly for our community, and they deserve better than to be kept in the dark about their futures.”
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) is ‘extremely disappointed and deeply concerned’ by the financial collapse of Healthscope.
ANMF Tasmanian Branch Acting Secretary Phoebe Mansell said this situation will no doubt cause significant uncertainty and distress for their members.
“For the nurses and midwives who care for patients in Healthscope every day, this is a very difficult and worrying time,” she said.
“Despite the uncertainty, our members remain committed to their patients and will continue to provide the highest standard of care.”
Mansell said the Healthscope situation was a reminder of the dangers of privatising essential healthcare services,
“This is what happens when we allow profit-driven corporations, often with overseas financial backing, to operate critical parts of our health system,” she said. “Americanised healthcare models simply do not work in Australia.”
“We cannot continue down a path where profits are prioritised over people.”
Minister for Health, Jacquie Petrusma, said the Government is actively working on contingencies to ensure Tasmanians continue to have access to the private healthcare they pay for.
“We recognise the uncertainty this situation is bringing to staff and patients,” Petrusma said.
“Our number one priority is ensuring Tasmanians have access to the health supports and services they need, including through the private system.
“We encourage Healthscope to make a decision and provide detailed information to the community as soon as possible.
“In the event Healthscope cannot provide private services, the Department of Health has already been exploring a number of options to ensure Tasmanians continue to have access to private healthcare, including discussions with other private providers.
“We have already shown we can act quickly and work with stakeholders on solutions where gaps arise, including when Healthscope
Petrusma also urged the Federal Government to ensure support for private hospitals not just across Tasmania, but across the country.
“Should Healthscope exit the market, it is our expectation that the Federal Government will assist with any financial support that may be required, with discussions already occurring to ensure continuity of services,” she said.
Greens Health spokesperson Cecily Rosol noted that HPH has also supported significant expansion in elective surgery delivery in recent years.
“It’s no exaggeration to say this situation requires an emergency response from the Rockliff Government,” she said. “All options should be on the table for saving this facility – including bringing the hospital into the public system.” Of course, we also expect the Federal Government to play a role in responding to this crisis nationally, including through specific support for Tasmania.
Ever since the St Helen’s mental health facility was closed by Healthscope in 2023, the Greens have been calling for the Rockliff Government to undertake a broadscale review of private healthcare in Tasmania.
“We have argued that with private health services facing significant challenges both nationally and globally, the government should be proactively working to identify any key areas of reliance or risk, and coming up with plans to address them,” said Rosol.
So far this has not happened.
“We have seen major flow on effects and problems since the St Helen’s facility closed, but these would pale in comparison to the consequences of losing the beds and services at Hobart Private. The government needs to treat this as an emergency and be open to all options to secure the future of this hospital.”
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