While doctors, nurses, paramedics and allied health professionals are clear the Royal Hobart Hospital is not able to meet current demand, let alone future, growing demand, the Rockliff Government refuses to accept the reality of the need for a new Royal.
Health Minister, Bridget Archer, told Budget Estimates she is listening to, and hearing, stakeholders and staff, but there is no recognition of the bleeding obvious – the Royal Hobart Hospital has outgrown its city site and a plan for the future is needed.
Regrettably, because the Rockliff Government is wholly committed to building a new, multi-billion dollar stadium at Macquarie Point, its ministers can’t even contemplate public good capital expenditure.
The message to Tasmanians who rely on the Royal, and those who will in the future, is that the Rockliff Government cares more about a flash, new elite sports facility than it does about the health needs of Tasmanians.
Ultimately, it’s about political choices. A clear political choice has been made to leave the hard decisions and the planning to another government, at another time, when the challenges will be even more pressing and impact on even more Tasmanians.
The Greens will keep fighting for work to begin on a new Royal. We are really listening to the great people who work in the Royal and we genuinely hear their professional concerns. We know a new capital city acute hospital will be needed and we’ll keep making the case in the interests of all Tasmanians.
