The Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, discussed the financial crunch engulfing the owner of Hobart Private Hospital.
“Surely the news that Healthscope is likely to enter administration this week will be enough to awaken the Tasmanian Government from its health policy and funding slumber,” Mr Wilkie said. “Healthscope owns Hobart Private Hospital, so any question mark over the future of Healthscope is obviously a question mark over the very future of Hobart Private.
“I first raised this matter months ago and that warning was ignored by the Tasmanian Government, despite the critical role of Hobart Private Hospital in southern Tasmania’s hospital system. If the Hospital closes, the State’s creaking hospital system would collapse. Crucially, Healthscope has not ruled out some hospital closures.
“The State Government needs to sort its priorities and get out today and let the community know what it’s doing about this potentially calamitous situation. Is it in discussions with Healthscope and the Federal Government? What is its contingency plan in case Hobart Private closes? Is it prepared to buy Hobart Private and roll it in to the public hospital system? The community needs answers, and it needs them right now.”