Government's broken election promise on vital health infrastructure

Our members have been left feeling devasted that not one dollar has been allocated to their number one project in the north of the state. This project was announced during the election as a critical health service for northern and north west Tasmanians.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Health Minister Guy Barnett made bold commitments to the project, citing Tasmania's high incidence of cardiovascular disease and the need for urgent, life-saving services.

In March this year, Premier Rockliff stated, "heart disease is more prevalent in Tasmania than anywhere in Australia, and it is our state's biggest single cause of death... this Heart Centre will deliver more expert cardiology services from diagnostics to procedures to extra ward beds – giving patients and families the very best care possible."

Minister Barnett echoed these sentiments, saying the centre would save lives, promising a new coronary care unit with 16 inpatient beds, additional coronary care unit beds, and two cardiac catheter labs.

These promises were never made on the basis that funding would be contingent on the Federal government matching the State government's contribution.

However, despite these promises, funding for the Northern Heart Centre is not included in the forward estimates of the recent budget, not even the $60 million that would represent half the project's cost.

Dr. Michael Lumsden-Steel, President of AMA Tasmania, stated, "This is a critical service that was desperately needed. The Northern Heart Centre was the number one project for the north, and its absence from the budget is a broken election promise".

"This service is not an optional extra. It is not a nice to have.

“We know that we haven't been able to provide the care that we should have been to those with cardiac disease in the north and northwest. A huge amount of work has been done to review services in the north and northwest, with key stakeholder engagement into the design and planning for this essential service. To not have it funded now is a kick in the guts, and to be honest this is breaking the confidence that the doctors and other staff have in both the Department and the Tasmanian Government."

Dr Lumsden-Steel said, "These critical projects like the Northern Heart Centre must not be left unfunded because this government, and let's be frank, preceding state and Federal governments have failed to address the significant revenue issue, which would help sustainably fund essential healthcare services.

"We understand that raising revenue is politically challenging, but healthcare must be funded to meet demand, especially where that demand is known, can be anticipated, and can be budgeted for. Funding must not fall below CPI growth or, worse, health CPI growth. This government, and those in opposition, needs to put politics aside and support broader tax reform. As Saul Eslake has pointed out, we need a comprehensive discussion about how we fund healthcare sustainably and fairly".

The AMA Tasmania calls on the government to engage in an open conversation with Tasmanians about tax reform and the need for equitable, efficient healthcare funding. The current budgetary approach is not sufficient to meet the demands of a population facing unique healthcare challenges, including a high incidence of chronic disease and an aging population.

"Right now, we are not doing enough, and patients are suffering as a result. The Tasmanian government is investing 32% of its budget into healthcare, yet with over $3 billion spent annually, it's still not enough to meet the growing healthcare needs of our most vulnerable population.

"We are ready to work with the government to ensure Tasmanians receive the healthcare they deserve." >>ENDS