The Tasmanian health system has faced intense scrutiny and protest over a twelve-day period, highlighting deep divisions between health unions, the Liberal Government and opposition parties. This summary presents releases in reverse chronological order, capturing perspectives from HACSU, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation, the Tasmanian Greens, the Liberal Government, the Mental Health Council of Tasmania, Labor and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. The collection reveals escalating industrial action over wages and conditions, coupled with conflicting claims regarding elective surgery targets, bed-block and the path to systemic reform.
Media release – HACSU Communications, Health & Community Services Union, 25 November 2025
LGH Pathology and Allied Health Staff Walk Out as Wage Crisis Deepens
Pathology and Allied Health staff at the Launceston General Hospital will walk off the job for one hour on Tuesday 25 November, in response to Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s continued failure to deliver a meaningful wages offer in enterprise agreement negotiations.
These workers are the lifeblood of the hospital and the wider Tasmanian health system.
Every day, they save lives, support recovery and keep essential services running, despite immense workloads, chronic short-staffing and constant risk of burnout.
Yet, despite the complexity and critical importance of their work, Tasmanian Pathology and Allied Health professionals remain the lowest paid in the country.
“Health workers don’t take strike action lightly. They are doing this because they’ve exhausted every other avenue to be heard. They deserve wages that reflect the skill, responsibility and pressure they carry every single day,” HACSU Acting Secretary Tammy Munro said.
“Tasmania will keep losing experienced professionals unless this government steps up with a real offer. If we want a strong health system, we must invest in the people who hold it together, starting with fair pay and decent conditions,” she added.
Workers are calling on Premier Rockliff to urgently address the recruitment and retention crisis gripping these essential services and return to the bargaining table with a fair, competitive offer on wages and conditions.
Without real action, Tasmanians will continue to feel the impact through longer wait times, delayed care and overstretched services.
Media release – Emily Shepherd, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch Secretary, 25 November 2025
ANMF CALLS ON STATE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE ACTION ON BED BLOCK
The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch (ANMF) today calls on the Tasmanian Government to take action to address access and flow challenges across the entire State.
ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary Emily Shepherd said this comes after members across the Northwest from the Mersey Community Hospital and the Northwest Regional Hospital met with Minister Bridget Archer yesterday where access block and ED capacity driven by a lack of in-patient beds dominated conversation.
“Our members provided Minister Archer with an overview of their challenges and potential solutions, many of which focussed on access block and how to increase flow through our hospitals and the need for more community services,” Shepherd said.
“The State Government has continually noted that access block across hospitals is a result of NDIS patients or those awaiting nursing home placements.
“While ANMF members agree and acknowledge that the Federal Government has a role to play in providing funding and resources to these cohort of patients, the fact is that they are Tasmanians and they need assistance now and our hospitals, staff and patients can’t wait until the State and Federal Governments finish their funding stoush before action is taken.”
Shepherd said the ANMF acknowledges this is the shared responsibility of the State and Federal Governments.
“Which is why the ANMF has written to the State Health Minister as well as the Federal Health Minister Mark Butler, jointly asking for urgent funding to increase staffing at our district hospitals and to fund Medi-hotels as an interim strategy to support eligible patients awaiting nursing home placement or NDIS accommodation to receive care through the model similar to the model employed during the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Shepherd said addressing access and flow challenges will be of enormous assistance to the Tasmanian Health Service.
“By increasing the capacity in our hospitals patients will receive care in a more timely way, admitted patients will be able to be moved out of the ED faster and therefore there will be more room in our ED’s and the Government can do away with their transfer of care protocol as it won’t be needed as the actual issue will be addressed, increasing access and flow.
“While the ANMF acknowledges not every patient will be able to go to a district hospital or Medi-hotel, the reality is that many will, and this will be a significant improvement for our hospitals to provide treatment to all patients.”
Shepherd said many district hospitals currently have vacant beds due to insufficient staffing levels, which are times see only two staff employed in the hospital.
“These staffing levels are completely inadequate as any patient who requires more than one nursing staff member to ambulate, transfer or receive care cannot be accommodated as it leaves the rest of the facility unattended, not to mention if the facility has an ED that need to be supported.
“This is just another example of how cutting corners at every turn results in inefficient systems and causes disastrous flow on impacts to other parts of the health system. This is a State Government responsibility, and it needs to be addressed urgently.”
Shepherd said the Medi-hotel model worked incredibly well during the COVID-19 pandemic with nursing staff leading the model with access to medical support if required.
“However, a Medi-hotel for NDIS or those awaiting nursing home placement is distinctly different in that many of these patients are already medically cleared and only need nursing or care support.
“While not every patient would be suitable, many who only need low care could be well supported by this model and it would likely be of greater benefit to these patients as the longer spent in hospital, the higher the chance of contacting hospital acquired illnesses.”
Shepherd said the ANMF acknowledges the Federal Government is implementing many aged care reforms to improve the Aged Care system into the future.
“However, the reality is that these reforms and any benefit is likely to be years away and action is needed now.”
Media release – Cecily Rosol MHA, Greens Health Spokesperson, 23 November 2025
Liberals Fail Elective Surgery Goals
The Liberal Government has failed to deliver on their Four-Year Elective Surgery Action Plan, with the elective surgery waitlist 3,500 people longer than promised.
Four years ago, the Liberals committed to reducing the elective surgery waitlist to 5,400 people.
But today, the elective surgery waitlist has close to 9,300 people.
Of the 20 KPIs in the Plan, they’ve failed on 17. The Liberal Government haven’t reduced the elective surgery waitlist as promised, and surgeries aren’t happening within clinically recommended timeframes.
This has real consequences for real people. Tim Smith has had to wait five years for critical vascular surgery.
Due to delays, he’s developed leg ulcers which make it difficult for him to walk properly.
It’s just not good enough.
It’s gotten so bad the Liberal Government have given up an even setting targets, with key performance Indicators nowhere to be seen in their new Elective Surgery Four-Year Plan.
The Liberals simply haven’t delivered the funding needed to reduce the elective surgery waitlist as promised.
They must properly fund the health system and stop allowing Tasmanians to languish on the elective surgery waitlist.
Media release – HACSU Communications, Health & Community Services Union, 23 November 2025
RHH cardiac and neurophysiology staff walk off the job over government’s wage offer failure
Cardiac physiologists and neurophysiology scientists at the Royal Hobart Hospital will walk off the job for one hour on Monday 24 November over Jeremy Rockliff’s failure to provide a meaningful wages offer in negotiations for their enterprise agreement.
Cardiac physiologists are allied health professionals who perform a wide range of essential clinical tasks. Their work includes conducting echocardiograms, which are heart ultrasounds, and assisting with implantable cardiac devices such as pacemakers. Neurophysiology scientists deliver a number of standardised tests that assess the function of a patient’s central nervous system. These tests form a crucial part of diagnosis and treatment planning.
Despite the complexity and importance of their work, Tasmanian cardiac physiologists and neurophysiology scientists remain the lowest paid in the country.
“These workers are underpaid, overworked, and undervalued by the Rockcliff-Abetz Liberal government,” HACSU President Lauren Vanier said.
“Cardiac physiologists are also working under significant staffing shortages which only increases pressure on remaining staff, and it’s patients who ultimately face delays in vital treatment,” she added.
Workers are calling on Premier Rockliff to immediately take steps to address the growing recruitment and retention crisis and return to the negotiating table with a fair wages and conditions offer to ensure Tasmanians continue to receive the standard of care they expect and deserve.
Media release – Bridget Archer MHA, Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, 19 November 2025
Delivering record elective surgeries for Tasmanians
The Tasmanian Government is delivering more elective surgeries than ever before.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer, said the first Statewide Elective Surgery Four-Year Plan 2021-2025 significantly improved elective surgical services for the Tasmanian community with record levels of elective surgery activity.
“For the third consecutive year, we’ve delivered record numbers of elective surgeries, with over 22,500 elective surgeries performed in 2024-25-more than 61 surgeries every single day,” Archer said.
“There has been a 46.1 per cent increase in the volume of elective surgeries conducted each year, compared to the level delivered prior to the first elective surgery plan.”
“Our dedicated doctors, nurses and health professionals work tirelessly to deliver these strong results, and are backed in by record funding to ensure they have the tools they need to continue this progress.”
“The second Elective Surgery Four-Year Plan 2025-2029 focuses on maintaining record levels of elective surgery while also investing in reforms that focus on driving efficiency and improving outcomes.”
“We will be investing more than $70 million over the next four years to keep the momentum going.”
“Our Government is delivering for Tasmanians, and we will continue to invest in our healthcare system and support our workforce to ensure everyone can access the right care, in the right place, at the right time.”
Media release – Bridget Archer MHA, Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, 17 November 2025
Expanding the role of nurse practitioners across our health system
The Tasmanian Government is a strong supporter of nurse practitioners and is delivering on our commitment to expand the vital role they play in supporting the health and wellbeing of the Tasmanian community.
In line with our election commitment to support Registered Nurses to become Nurse Practitioners, a scholarship scheme has now been launched to support Registered Nurses obtain their Master of Nurse Practitioner qualifications.
The scholarships will be available for Registered Nurses working in the Tasmanian public health system, initially targeting high-priority service areas and using a phased approach to support tuition costs.
Consultation has also been launched on the draft Nurse Practitioner Strategy 2025-2030, designed to advance the role of nurse practitioners across our health system.
The Strategy features four key themes:
- Developing person-centred models of care and addressing barriers to practice,
- Growing the nurse practitioner workforce and recruiting nurse practitioners with skill sets to address Tasmanians’ healthcare needs;
- Raising awareness of nurse practitioners scope of practice; and
- Workforce and succession planning for sustainability of nurse practitioner roles.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer, said we are delivering increased access to healthcare for Tasmanians by backing initiatives that are vital for the future of the Nurse Practitioner workforce.
“We highly value the work of nurse practitioners and recognise that there is a significant opportunity to expand their role throughout our health system,” Archer said.
“Nurse practitioners are highly experienced registered nurses with advanced skills who are authorised to deliver advanced, autonomous, and clinically focused care across a range of health settings, including community and rural and remote areas.”
“Importantly, this Strategy is about highlighting opportunities for the nurse practitioner role, supporting them to work to their scope of practice and supporting better integration within health care teams.”
“The Nurse Practitioner Strategy aims to support a sustainable, effective and integrated nurse practitioner workforce model that meets the needs of the Tasmanian community, now and into the future.”
The consultation will include a series of online sessions, an opportunity to provide written feedback and nurse practitioners across the State are being actively invited to provide feedback.
“By launching this scholarship program to assist Registered Nurses who may wish to become Nurse Practitioners, we are focusing on expanding the role of Nurse Practitioners and boosting this important workforce across our health system,” Archer said.
Media release – Mental Health Council of Tasmania, 17 November 2025
Over 10,000 Tasmanians need urgent investment in psychosocial support
The Mental Health Council of Tasmania (MHCT) is calling for urgent investment in psychosocial supports after the Productivity Commission’s review found major gaps in the National Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Agreement.
The report warns that unfunded actions and unclear responsibilities are leaving more than half a million Australians without essential psychosocial support, including over 10,000 Tasmanians, costing the economy $200 billion annually.
Psychosocial supports are tailored to help people living with mental illness to stay well and participate fully in society by supporting education, employment, housing, relationships and daily living.
MHCT CEO Dan Vautin said urgent investment is needed to scale up services and meet growing demand.
“Psychosocial supports aren’t just nice to have they’re essential. They help people avoid costly hospital interventions and live fulfilling lives in the community. Without them, thousands of Tasmanians are missing out on the support they need and deserve,” Vautin said.
Community organisations deliver the bulk of these supports but rising costs and increasing demand are pushing many to the brink.
“Community organisations are the backbone of our mental health system,” Vautin said.
“But they’re struggling to keep up, and in some cases even having to consider reducing services and outreach. We need governments to work with the sector and listen to voices of lived experience to ensure these vital services are available to everyone who needs them. Now is the time to increase investment, not make cuts.”
The Productivity Commission’s review was broadly critical of the National Agreement, citing a lack of measurable targets, defined responsibilities and clear links between actions and goals.
Many commitments remain unfunded, leaving significant gaps in care.
Media release – Bridget Archer MHA, Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, 17 November 2025
Hospital bed-block highlights urgent need for Federal Government to act
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer, is again calling on the Federal Government to urgently step up and take responsibility for aged care in Tasmania.
Newly released Boxwell & Co analysis has revealed the number of aged care beds in Tasmania has decreased by 54 beds in the last financial year.
Minister Archer said the lack of action from the Federal Government on aged care beds is having real impacts in our hospitals and called on the Federal Government to step up immediately and provide solutions.
“The equivalent of about three full hospital wards of Tasmanians are stranded in hospital because the Federal Government has failed to provide them a place to go,” Archer said.
“Through no fault of their own, these Tasmanians are ready to leave hospital but cannot be discharged, sometimes for weeks and even months at a time they deserve to be recovering at home, in the best interests of their health and wellbeing.”
Minister Archer said responsibility for these delays falls with the Federal Government.
“The Tasmanian Government continues to provide high-quality hospital care, but it is the Commonwealth that must ensure adequate aged care and disability services are available,” Archer said.
“They need to stop sitting on their hands and pretending nothing is wrong, and come to the table with immediate solutions.”
Media release – Sarah Lovell MLC, Shadow Minister for Health, Mental Health & Wellbeing, 16 November 2025
Overstretched and under-resourced EDs hurting Tasmanians
Tasmania’s health crisis is continuing to worsen, with hospital emergency departments stretched to their absolute limits.
One example which highlights this is the case of Laura, who earlier this month spent six days waiting for adequate care in the Royal Hobart Hospital’s “short stay” unit within the Emergency Department.
This unit is designed for stays of 24 hours or less.
It was only when Laura discharged herself and went to a private hospital when she was finally able to receive the care she needed.
Health Department statistics show that Laura isn’t alone in experiencing overstretched and under-resourced emergency departments.
On average over the past week, only one in three patients at the Royal Hobart Hospital emergency department had treatment commence within the clinically recommended time.
The statewide average across all major hospitals was just 44 per cent.
Just 40 per cent of RHH patients were discharged from the emergency department within four hours of arrival.
The Health Department’s KPI target is for no less than 80 per cent of patients to be out in that time.
Despite the Liberals promise to “ban” it, ramping is again rife, with hospitals across the state falling well short of transfer of care targets.
Labor acknowledges Tasmania’s hardworking health staff, who do an amazing job under incredibly difficult circumstances.
Tasmania’s public health system is in crisis, and with no plan except trying to blame everyone else, the Liberals can’t be trusted to fix it.
Media release – Bridget Archer MHA, Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, 14 November 2025
New 10-year contract secures Tasmania’s fixed-wing aeromedical services
The Tasmanian Government has locked in a new 10-year, $78.7 million partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) to continue delivering vital fixed-wing aeromedical services across the State.
Under the agreement, RFDS Tasmania will provide fixed-wing aeromedical services in partnership with Ambulance Tasmania’s Critical Care and Retrieval team, ensuring patients can be transferred safely between health facilities across Tasmania and interstate.
A new Beechcraft King Air B350 aircraft will be introduced, offering greater range, endurance and capacity for clinicians, patients, and accompanying family members.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer, said the Tasmanian Government is delivering for Tasmanians, with the long-term contract providing certainty for the community and health system.
“This new agreement ensures Tasmanians continue to receive world-class fixed-wing aeromedical retrieval services when they need them most,” Archer said.
“With new aircraft and long-term contracts now in place, our emergency air services are well-positioned to support Tasmanians for years to come.”
“Our Government is delivering for Tasmania by ensuring people can access the right care, in the right place, at the right time.”
Royal Flying Doctor Service Tasmania Chief Executive Officer, Nicole Henty, said the RFDS has been providing aeromedical evacuation services in Tasmania since the late 1950s.
“We are delighted that our contract to serve the people of Tasmania has been extended by another 10 years,” Henty said.
“As an organisation, our mission is to provide excellence in aeromedical and primary health care services, and this new contract enables us to continue doing just that.”
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