AMA Tasmania welcomes today's commitment made by the State Government to implement a state-wide clinical services plan for health, a plan the AMA has lobbied for some time.

President Dr Helen McArdle noted, “the last comprehensive state-wide Clinical Services Plan was released in 2007.

AMA Tasmania Vice President Dr John Saul said today that the AMA welcomed the long-overdue release of the report into a patient's care at the Roy Fagan Centre.

"It is important that lessons are learnt by everyone at all levels of government from the circumstances surrounding the event that led to this report.

AMA Tasmania calls for an urgent roundtable to be convened by the Secretary of the Department of Health to discuss solutions to the crisis being felt at the Royal Hobart and Launceston General Hospitals.

Both the RHH and LGH are at breaking point. 

AMA Tasmania President Dr Helen McArdle today congratulated Deputy Premier Jeremy Rockliff on his appointment to Health and Mental Health and Wellbeing portfolios.

“We look forward to working with Minister Rockliff on the issues confronting the Tasmanian health system.

“We enjoyed a positive and productive working relationship with the former Minister for Health, Sarah Courtney and wish her well in her new portfolios.

As you will undoubtedly be aware, the Voluntary Assisted Dying legislation introduced into Parliament, with its many amendments, iterations, review panels, meetings, inquiries, presentations, consultations, advocacy, and lobbying later has now been passed. It will come into law in Tasmania in 2022 once Royal assent is received.

Health is the number one issue in this election for a good reason.

Our mental health service is in crisis.

Our alcohol and drug services are on the verge of collapse.

Our acute care hospitals are bulging at the seams with growing demand, and our waiting lists are blowing out.

AMA Tasmania received a letter signed by sixteen psychiatrists last week.  

READ HERE - 2021 AMA Tasmania State Election Advocacy Platform

Our health system is at breaking point. Doctors in general practice, in emergency departments, on medical wards and in surgery are stressed, exhausted and losing patience.

AMA Tasmania calls for a guarantee from all political parties that any promised increased funding into elective surgery will increase elective surgery capacity and be built into the long-term health budget. 

The Liberals commitment to the co-located hospital at the Launceston General Hospital and more money for hospital equipment is welcomed by AMA Tasmania. 

While increased funding to employ additional staff is also welcomed, this needs to be more than election promises.