Ramping at the Royal Hobart Hospital has reduced significantly since the election of the Liberal Government.
In October 2014, we’ve seen a drop in the number of ambulances ramped per day from 10 to two compared to the same time last year.
We said before the election we would look at reopening a four bed unit, closed down by Labor, to address long-standing ramping issues which the former Government did nothing about.
Since reopening this unit in September we have freed up beds in the Emergency Department and freed up ambulances to get back on the road.
While we know there is still a lot of work to be done and two ambulances ramped per day is still two too many, we welcome the reduction in ramping and the benefits it will have for patients, hospital staff and paramedics.
We are continuing to work on long term solutions and that’s why we’re looking at a Clinical Redesign program in conjunction with Health Service Innovation Tasmania to improve patient flow in the hospital.
There’s no doubt the Liberal Government inherited a health system in trouble after 16 years of mismanagement by Labor and the Greens and while we can’t turn the ship around overnight, it’s pleasing to see we are making a difference and providing better healthcare for Tasmanians.
Michael Ferguson, Minister for Health
