Australian Healthcare Association welcomes Tasmania’s new health plan
The Australian Healthcare Association (AHA) has welcomed the Tasmanian Government’s Future Health Plan, released by Health and Human Services Minister Lara Giddings.
The Australian Healthcare Association is the peak national body for public hospitals, aged and community care facilities.
“The Future Health Plan will help Tasmania’s health system respond to many of the challenges of health care delivery in the 21st century,” AHA executive director, Prue Power said.
“AHA supports the proposals in the Plan to refocus acute services in the three major hospitals and reconfigure some under-used district hospital services, with resources redirected to primary health care.
“This will ensure Tasmanians have access to world class new health technology and innovative treatments, while maintaining a strong focus on preventive and primary care.
“The reality of modern health care is that some complex procedures and some treatments requiring expensive equipment and technology, can only be provided in major hospital centres which have the resources and the patient numbers to ensure a quality service.
“This does mean it is vital that support is provided for patients who need to travel long distances to receive hospital treatment.
“AHA supports the strong focus on primary care in the Future Health Plan. Increasing resources in primary care will assist in the treatment of chronic disease and help prevent the development of more serious conditions, requiring hospitalisation.
“Change in the health system is always difficult and we understand that many Tasmanians may be concerned about some of these proposals. However, the AHA strongly believes that these changes will deliver a more efficient, effective and sustainable health system for Tasmania’s future. We urge the government to continue to ensure that these benefits and the detail of the changes are communicated to consumers through comprehensive information and discussion.
“The AHA welcomes the government’s constructive and comprehensive vision for securing the future of Tasmania’s public health care system,” Ms Power said.
