Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Health spokesperson
Police Union reports of an unresponsive baby who had to be transported to hospital by police because no ambulance was available are alarming.
While this situation is distressing, it’s also a predictable consequence of the Liberals’ continued under-resourcing of the health system.
Every parent has the right to expect that when they call an ambulance for their sick child, they can rely on one turning up. In the Liberals’ Tasmania this is clearly not the case, which is terrible.
Healthcare workers have been consistently sounding the alarm. They have repeatedly told the Liberals to fix the understaffing, under-resourcing, and capacity issues in the health system, because an increasing number of patients will be at risk. This is exactly what has happened.
The health crisis is now so serious we have to rely on police to fill the role for paramedics. This is potentially dangerous for patients, and unfair for police officers.
The reopening of Tasmania’s borders will only add to the unreasonable strain on the health system. With only six days until reopening, health unions have said they have still not been given critical details about how the system is expected to cope.
Tasmanians have every right to be concerned about the capacity of our hospitals and health services, especially after December 15.
The Gutwein government is responsible for ensuring our healthcare system can cope with demand now, and especially after the border reopens.
It’s time for the Liberals to get their head out of the sand, listen to people working on the frontline, and put the resources needed in immediately. Anything less will result in more lives being put at risk, and more Tasmanians needlessly suffering.