Access to healthcare in the community and at home is crucial to improving outcomes for Tasmanians and our health system. That’s why today the Greens are announcing our plan to hire an extra 30 community nurses to help deliver the healthcare services needed, where it’s needed.
Community nurses are often an undervalued part of our health system. They play a crucial role in caring for Tasmanians, by supporting people to be discharged home earlier, and preventing readmissions which helps free up space in our hospitals.
Community nurses support people with medication management, wound care, managing chronic diseases, recovery from stays in hospital, and so much more. By being based locally in communities across the state, community nurses can support people at home, or close to home – saving patients difficult or lengthy journeys to access healthcare.
The ANMF says demand for community nursing has grown rapidly in recent years, and existing services can’t keep up, putting further strain on Tasmania’s hospitals. Patients are finding it increasingly difficult to access healthcare in their community.
Everywhere I have visited in Lyons, in the past year as the sitting member and during this election campaign, every other person I speak to has a story of Tasmania’s health system failing them.
The community in Lyons are clearly calling out for improved health services. Tasmanians recognise that health services are more essential than a billion-dollar stadium.
The Greens are listening to the calls from the ANMF, and from the community. We recognise that increasing investment in community nursing will have huge benefits for patients getting the healthcare they need, where they need it. And it will take some of the load off our hospitals too.
Our plan would invest $3.5 million per year to hire 30 new permanent full time community nurses across Tasmania – in our cities, suburbs, and regional towns.
Much needs to be done to fix our health crisis, and serious investment in to community nursing is an essential step that will make a big difference for many Tasmanians. With a new government and the Greens in balance of power we’ll fight to make community nurses a priority over a billion-dollar stadium.
