Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Health spokesperson
Staff in the public health system are unlikely to be satisfied with Minister Ferguson’s announcement of his planned “fix” for our broken health system.
The fundamental problems underlying the unfolding health crisis haven't been addressed, and every day's delay is another day with staff battling in punishing conditions and patients at risk.
Minister Ferguson says fixing problems in the health system is about more than money, but without restoring the funds the Liberals themselves stripped from health when they took office, any "fixes" will have no real impact and harrowing stories will keep coming to light.
Without restoring the $110M the government siphoned off in 2014, and putting on more permanent nurses, specialists and beds, we're at great risk of further extreme failures and ever increasing elective surgery waiting lists.
Before Easter, Minister Ferguson blamed frontline and administrative staff for the emergency department disasters. This week his health solution is to rearrange the chairs on the steamer deck and try to make it look like strong leadership.
If he wants to fix the health mess, the Minister needs to stand up for the sick Tasmanians in his care and demand the Treasurer put back the $110M into the health budget today.