Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Health spokesperson
Individual health and wellness is the foundation of a healthy community. Too many Tasmanians suffer from chronic conditions and too many end up in an over-stretched hospital system.
On behalf of the Greens I was proud to release our community health plan. Investing in preventative health services keeps people healthier and out of hospitals.
More than 12 000 Tasmanians are currently languishing in pain on the elective surgery waiting list. When patients arrive at the Emergency Department, they wait hours for assessment by dedicated hospital staff who are stretched to the limit.
Properly funding health services located in communities across Tasmania, and targeted prevention programs, will save lives.
Our plan funds an extra 50 allied health professionals and social workers in areas of critical need in community health centres across lutruwita/Tasmania.
The types of services people in communities need include counselling and support, podiatry, physiotherapy, dieticians, occupational therapy, hearing and speech therapy. These essential services must be available and affordable.
Our plan also includes $3 million a year towards a grants program for community-based preventative health initiatives.
This investment in community health will take the pressure off the hospital emergency departments, and mean fewer people ending up on elective surgery waiting lists.
An investment in community health is an investment in the Tasmanian people. It’s an investment we can and must afford.
You can read our plan here - https://tasmps.greens.org.au/green-new-deal/keeping-communities-healthy