AMA TASMANIA CALLS ON STATE GOVERNMENT AS DEMAND ONCE AGAIN OUTSTRIPS CURRENT SUPPLY IN HEALTH
Yet another escalation to level four at the Royal Hobart Hospital is as a direct result of successive Governments across decades underinvesting in infrastructure and human resources in the health sector in Tasmania.
We have a real and immediate problem at the moment with the oldest and sickest population in Australia waiting for extra staff and new developments coming online, said Dr John Davis President of the AMA in Tasmania.
Dr Davis said the staff at the Royal need to be commended for doing their best under trying circumstances. An increase in population, winter time and delays to infrastructure have created this perfect storm; he went on to say.
The AMA calls on the current Government to deliver an immediate plan and a long-term strategy to remedy the situation, we know there is work underway, but it now needs to be brought forward.
The AMA has provided the Government with a plan to improve patient access to beds; it involves reconfiguring K block.
While there were nine beds opened at the RHH recently that are now already full, and another 22 sub-acute beds at the Repat coming online in a week or so, demand is outstripping supply, and the Government needs to act for both the patients and the wellbeing of staff.