Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens’ Health spokesperson
The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report released today on emergency department care showed Tasmania’s two main hospitals are performing poorly compared to mainland hospitals.
At both hospitals, most patients are in the urgent and semi-urgent categories. In 2016-17, only 46% of urgent patients, and 57% of semi-urgent patients were seen within the clinically-recommended time at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
This is relative to an average of 61% and 73% of patients in mainland hospitals respectively. The Launceston General Hospital was slightly better, but it still performed under the national peer-group average.
Our universal healthcare system is established for all Tasmanians to receive the care they need, when they need it. It’s clear from the report released today, that the State’s hospitals are lagging behind.
The statistics released today are another strong signal that under the Hodgman Liberal Government, Tasmania’s health system has devolved into crisis.