The impact of the State Government’s health cuts has caused the Launceston General Hospital to descend into chaos
Information received by the Health and Community Services Union indicates that the Launceston General Hospital is spiraling out of control.
“Staffing and service cuts by the State Liberal Government are destroying our public hospital system,” said HACSU Assistant Secretary Robbie Moore.
“HACSU has been contacted by distressed hospital staff, who are witnessing patients being sent home before they are well enough to leave.
“Our Members are saying that hospital management are panicking about the bad publicity, and are so desperate to try and ease the bed block, that they are compromising patient care.
“Some patients are basically being pushed out the door.
“We have been reliably informed that some patients are being sent home only 2 days after hip replacement operations.
“Allied Health Professionals are being recalled from annual leave, and outpatient clinics are being cancelled.
“We raised the issue of waiting list blow outs with Minister Ferguson back in May, and he dodged responsibility by saying it was just proof that the system needed to change.
“Minister Ferguson has been in charge of the health system for a year and a half now, and has created an even bigger mess.
“The Hodgman Liberal Government recently released a Status Update that showed that they slashed 50% more jobs from health than originally planned in the last financial year.
“They eanted to remove 224 Full Time Equivalent positions, but in the end they cut 337 jobs from Health and Human Services.
“It’s time Minister Ferguson admitted austerity measures are not working.
“The Hodgman Government has made this mess – it’s time they fixed it.”
