Michael Ferguson has gone to ground as serious cracks start to emerge in the health system.
Labor Shadow Health Minister Rebecca White said there had been deafening silence from the government over where it would find the additional $70 million for the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment, along with an $86 million shortfall in funding from the Commonwealth.
“There is a $156 million black hole in the health budget and Michael Ferguson is yet to explain how it will be managed,” Ms White said.
“This is on top of concerns that brand new theatres at the LGH may never open and beds will be closed as a result of the Liberal Government’s short sighted cuts to the health budget.
“The Government needs to commit to implementation of the expert advice contained in the long awaited Health Services Innovation Tasmania report to address waiting times for emergency patients, which are well above the national average.
“There is a serious crisis emerging in the health system and it is not good enough that Michael Ferguson has gone to ground.
“Michael Ferguson must come out of hiding and take responsibility for cuts to health which will inevitably impact on services and patient care.
“So far all we have heard is the Premier blaming nurses for the Government’s broken promises.”
Rebecca White MP Shadow Minister for Health
