THE State Government has been warned it will have blood on its hands if it cuts the Royal Hobart Hospital’s operating budget by a massive $40 million.
Denison independent MHR Andrew Wilkie revealed yesterday the state was considering the $40 million funding slash as part of the upcoming State Budget.
Mr Wilkie said the already underfunded hospital could not take such a blow without serious repercussions for staff and patients.
“These are the sorts of cutbacks that will cost lives,” he said.
Mr Wilkie said “reliable sources” had told him the amount, which equated to just over 10 per cent of the RHH’s operating budget.
The hospital only managed now because of the excellence and dedication of the staff, but such a massive cut would “crush them”.
“The hospital has nothing left to give,” Mr Wilkie said. “If the state goes ahead with this, it would be madness.”
Premier Lara Giddings said the Budget was still a work in progress, so any forecasts about hospital cuts were premature.
Earlier:
GOTTAWANNA HELP HOLYOAKE
The Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, has secured $350,000 in Federal funds to allow Holyoake to revive a program to help people in his electorate beat addiction.
Holyoake in Hobart is a not-for-profit organisation that provides counselling and education for individuals, families and communities struggling with addiction to drugs, alcohol and gambling.
“In my years campaigning for poker machine reform, I’ve heard countless heartbreaking stories of the devastating grip and consequences of addiction,’’ Mr Wilkie said.
“The destructive reach of addiction doesn’t stop at the individual – it stretches to families, friends and communities too.’’
Due to cuts in State Government funding last year, Holyoake was forced to axe its successful Gottawanna program and turn away more than 90 people seeking help to kick their addictions.
Mr Wilkie said it was symptomatic of the State Government’s warped priorities that it had ceased funding a program that had helped people who wanted to escape the vicious cycle of addiction.
“If you spend a little bit of money to help people kick addiction, you save a whole lot of money at the other end by cutting heartache, crime, family violence and reducing pressure on hospitals and prisons,’’ he said.
“It’s shocking people who have taken the brave step of seeking help are being turned away.’’
Mr Wilkie lobbied the Prime Minister for funds for Holyoake after visiting the facility last year.
“I have been assured by the Government that funding of $350,000 will be made available for the Gottawanna program at Holyoake Tasmania,’’ he said.
The $350,000 will be made available over 4 years, $50,000 this financial year and $100,000 for the following three financial years.
