Ms ROSOL question to MINISTER for HEALTH, MENTAL HEALTH and WELLBEING, Mr BARNETT
The Australian Nurses and Midwifing Federation (ANMF) is spot on: the staffing situation at the LGH over the weekend was diabolical and definitely unsafe. Facing massive issues with staffing in the health system, you have shamelessly continued to pursue measures aiming to reduce the number of Health staff in Tasmania. You have repeatedly refused to answer basic questions from us and other members about your vacancy control measures in Health . You have repeatedly tried to imply that your vacancy control measures will not apply to any patient-facing roles. As the ABC reported over the weekend, your Health secretary confirmed that nursing positions would be subject to vacancy control. Your deliberate duplicity on this issue has been exposed. Will you finally stop trying to mislead Tasmanians and instead start focusing on doing what it takes to fix our health system?
ANSWER
Thank you, honourable Speaker, and I thank the member for her question. Without doubt, I take this matter very seriously on behalf of the government and all of us. It is important that Tasmanians get the health care they deserve. That is the ambition of this government. That is why we are spending record funds into the health system. That is why we have delivered 2500 more healthcare workers to the system over the last 10 years. That is why we have gone on a recruitment blitz in the last three months, consistent with our election commitment, and have delivered – I can now give members an update – more than 600 extra healthcare workers to the system: frontline healthcare workers. These are doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, paramedics and the like and those who support them. That is a net increase of 159 on the front line.
Make no mistake, we are totally committed. This was a commitment we gave the Tasmanian people. They want to see support for their healthcare workers and for the system. What is at the centre of our health policy is the Tasmanian people, the patients.
The member referenced the LGH on the weekend. I acknowledge that. It is the middle of winter. It is not unusual when the flu and RSV add extra stress and strain to the system in the middle of winter, and other reasons, including unplanned leave.
Dr Woodruff – Under your mismanagement, it is not unusual.
The SPEAKER – Thank you, Leader of the Greens.
Mr BARNETT – I acknowledge the challenges at the LGH over the weekend. I make no apology for that. It is a difficult time. It is very challenging. I thank the nurses, doctors and those who were on the –
Mr Winter – Everything is challenging now. Everything was fine last week.
Mr BARNETT – the LGH last weekend. It was a very challenging situation. I spoke to Emily Shepherd on Sunday and have a meeting with her tomorrow. I am looking forward to that. My department is meeting with the nurses’ union today. We need to work –
Mr Winter – You are being nice to them now?
Mr BARNETT – I take this very seriously. We will work on those issues and through all those challenges to put the patient at the centre and do what is required to get the healthcare services that Tasmanians deserve. We are very committed and will continue to be so. I take it seriously and look forward to working with our nurses’ union and stakeholders. I have roundtables on a regular basis. I have another one in a few weeks’ time with all the unions, my department and the key stakeholders. I look forward to working with them to deliver the better healthcare services that Tasmanians deserve.
