Tasmania launches a Future Health Blueprint
Health Minister Lara Giddings has released a Future Health Blueprint for Tasmania’s health services involving a sweeping shake-up of the system.
The plan aims to divide services more efficiently between the state’s four main hospitals. More patients will need to travel to either the Royal Hobart Hospital or Launceston General Hospital for specialist surgery or to dedicated disease-treatment units.
But a significant slice of the new reforms – to be bolstered by a major TV, print and internet campaign – is also aimed at keeping Tasmanians out of hospitals, with a heightened focus on the prevention of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes, both linked to ageing and lifestyle.
In launching the new Future Health blueprint, Ms Giddings said Tasmania’s hospitals – and the health budget – would be swamped unless individuals and communities made better decisions about their lifestyles and health.
Senior clinical leaders have endorsed the plan. Royal Hobart Hospital chief executive officer, Craig White, says the medical staff at the hospital appear to overwhelmingly support the reforms.
