It was devastating to hear in Budget Estimates today that Health Minister Guy Barnett has broken a promise he made to the daughter of a woman who died at the Launceston General Hospital.
Anne Pedler tragically died in August 2022 after being ramped for eight hours at the LGH. A key factor in her death were issues with the lack of on-site radiology and pathology services.
Following the release of the Coroner’s report about this matter mid-last year, Health Minister Barnett met with Mrs Pedler’s daughter, Stella Jennings. Ms Jennings said the Minister promised her in person that he would deliver these services on-site 24 hours a day, seven days a week. She has been seeking updates on this promise ever since.
Under questioning from the Greens, the Health Secretary has confirmed the Department will not introduce 24/7 on-site radiology and pathology services at the LGH. This decision breaks the promise made by Minister Barnett to Stella Jennings.
Stella Jennings has been bravely pushing for these 24/7 services because she understands they could make a difference and prevent the awful situation that happened to her mum from happening again. It’s devastating to hear Guy Barnett has broken his promise to deliver these services, and baffling as to why Ms Jennings had not already been informed of this decision.
The update provided by the government today is deeply disappointing, but this isn’t over. The Greens will keep fighting to make sure the LGH gets 24/7 on-site radiology and pathology services, just like the Minister said it would.
