Better access to Tas health services

Patient transport and accommodation will receive a $10 million federal boost to improve access to health services across Tasmania.

The funding will allow several new projects to be funded and allow existing services provided by the Tasmanian government to be enhanced.

Under the transport initiative, the Rudd Government will provide:
* Up to $3 million to acquire additional patient transport vehicles in the north-west, north and south of the state;
* Up to $3.1 million to establish low cost patient accommodation in Burnie;
* Up to $90 000 for upgrades to the Spurr Wing accommodation complex in Launceston;
* Up to $2.72 million to purchase new IT infrastructure and software to improve communication and coordination of patient transport and accommodation across the state;
* Up to $300 000 to upgrade Queenstown Airport to ensure safe patient transfers;
* Up to $20 000 to purchase appropriate patient transport and lifting equipment at Wynyard airport; and
* Up to $770 000 to implement new ‘telehealth’ initiatives to reduce the necessity for patients to travel to receive health care.

The Federal Health Minister Nicola Roxon says the initiative takes into account the challenges in Tasmania resulting from a dispersed population, the terrain in many parts of the state, and the need to locate services in regional centres.

“We have worked with the Tasmanian Government to identify areas of need to improve patient transport and patient accommodation in Tasmania.”