Independent Member for Clark, Andrew Wilkie, seconding Member for Indi, Dr Helen Haines motion on Regional and Rural Hospitals.
“I’m delighted to second the Member for Indi’s motion because it hinges on equity and access, and dignity, for every Australian; because healthcare facilities in rural and regional areas have long been neglected, leading to an urgent need for dedicated federal funding,” Mr Wilkie said.
“Of course it’s unacceptable that in a country as rich as Australia, rural Australians receive $1,090.47 less healthcare funding per person each year than city residents. Indeed according to the National Rural Health Alliance, that shortfall now amounts to over $8.35 billion annually, resulting in longer wait times, a lack of specialist services, staff shortages and of course outdated infrastructure.
“In Tasmania, where most of the state is classified rural and remote, the impact is especially acute; because while Tasmania’s four major public hospitals provide vital services, they’re also supported by 13 district hospitals from King Island to New Norfolk, from Smithton to St Marys. These facilities are the backbone of their communities.
“But when you talk to families or health workers across Tasmania, you hear the same concerns: facilities are outdated, emergency departments are cramped or overflowing, diagnostics are limited and, too often, care is delayed.
“Even though in places like St Helens or Ouse, where private providers have withdrawn and services have closed, the public system is not the safety net, it is the only option.
“We must be honest about the problem here – Federal funding has not kept pace with the realities on the ground.
“Now in February this year, Australian governments did extend the National Health Reform Agreement by one year. And under this agreement, Tasmania will receive $754 million in federal health funding this financial year. But when you consider that Tasmania’s public hospitals are said to cost over $3 billion annually, and that our hospital costs are growing at nearly three times the national average, it becomes clear that this agreement does not go far enough.
“Clearly a renewed multi-year NHRA agreement must remain a priority, but let’s not pretend such funding absolves the Federal Government of responsibility to those living in regional and rural areas of Australia.
“The fund the Member for Indi is proposing, however, would allow for targeted, needs-based investment that lifts up rural and regional families.
“Let me be clear, this is not about asking for more than our fair share. It’s about fairness, because quite simply it costs more to build and maintain healthcare infrastructure in regional and remote areas. Moreover workforce shortages and geographic isolation also create real barriers to care.
“For example, as of September, over 9,000 Tasmanians were on the elective surgery waiting list and only 63 per cent were seen on time. Another 10,700 people are waiting for public oral health care. At the Royal Hobart Hospital in particular, bed block has led to major surgery cancellations and ambulance ramping continues.
“And adding to the pain, in August hospital staff were informed that a planned $130 million redevelopment of the Emergency Department was being shelved due to “budgetary issues”, replaced instead with a “lower scope” design that management itself acknowledged is “not fit for purpose.”
“There’s also the closure of St Helens Hospital, and the broken-down BreastScreen Tasmania bus that leaves women in remote areas without access to vital early detection services.
“With private health services in Hobart in trouble, including the collapse of smaller GP clinics, and storm clouds over The Hobart Clinic and Hobart Private Hospital, we’re only going to see more pressure build on the public health system.
“And again, it comes with painful human impacts. For example the heartbreaking case of a Hobart child that suffered devastating burns as a baby. He’s only two years old now, and in a critical recovery phase, and his parents have fought for laser therapy that could drastically improve his lifelong recovery, only to be told that the laser machine at the Royal had broken down and would not be replaced due to cost.
“Sadly, while other states have invested in new health infrastructure, the Tasmanian Government is still patching up what should have been replaced a decade ago. It’s a false economy and it’s hurting people.
“Clearly we need dedicated rural health infrastructure funding, and commitments to upgrade or rebuild our district hospitals. We also need fit-for-purpose facilities that can recruit and retain staff, deliver timely care, and support modern services.
“This is not about politics, it’s about people. Governments owe it to them to deliver a system that works, no matter where they live.”