AMA welcomes additional funding for Tasmania’s front line health services
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) Tasmania has welcomed the confirmation of the additional $100 million investment over four years in Tasmania’s front line health services as announced in today’s State Budget.
AMA Tasmania President A/Prof Tim Greenaway said the additional $100 million investment would provide essential public hospital services including elective and emergency services.
“While there has been little detail provided with this announcement, we applaud this investment especially given the recent AMA Public Hospital Report Card 2015 which revealed our public hospital system was not meeting clinical demands and is only set to get worse,” A/Prof Greenaway said.
“We welcome this funding for front line health services and the move to turn around the fortune of our public hospital system.”
A/Prof Greenaway said the AMA also welcomed the announcement of an additional $24 million investment in transport infrastructure and coordination.
“It is positive to see the State Government has taken into consideration the feedback gained from the health system reform consultation process and will now be making this investment to improve patient transport through upgrading infrastructure and equipment to ensure patients get to where they need to be for treatment,” he said.
“We also particularly welcome the announcement of an additional $2.4 million over four years for Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services to address historical under resourcing of this vital sector.
“The AMA Tasmania also notes the two-year Heads of Agreement between the Federal and Tasmanian Government’s to provide $148.5 million to ensure the Mersey Community Hospital continues to play an integral role in the health of the local community.
“This agreement also paves the way for the continuation of the Tasmanian Government’s health reform process.
“The AMA welcomes the broad approach and the initiatives announced today, but in the end however the devil will be in the detail and we look forward to sitting down and reviewing the budget documents closely.”
PLEASE NOTE: AMA President A/Prof Tim Greenaway will only be available for phone interviews this evening from 5-6pm and tomorrow (29 May) from 8-10am.
For more information: Lucinda Szczypior, Font PR, 0438 280 486