I want to take this opportunity to thank our Pharmacists across the state for the outstanding care and dedicated services they provide to the Tasmanian community.

Today’s announcement by the Government regarding their review of Pharmacist’s Scope of Practice is long overdue and we look forward to reviewing the report and recommendations when they are made public later today.

Health Minister Guy Barnett has also claimed his implemented changes are ‘nation leading.’ This is false.

The fact remains though that Tasmania’s health system is the worst it’s ever been under the mismanagement of the Liberal Minority Government, despite the ongoing dedication and hard work of our health care workers.

We have a situation where the emergency departments are turning people away, hospitals are asking patients to leave and every emergency department in the state in now under review.

The Launceston General Hospital has the worst access block in the country and our regional and rural communities are crying out for more local community health services.

Our ambulances are spending thousands of hours ramped every year, with paramedics now being assigned to the ramp instead of being out in our communities.

Our health care workers are burning out and leaving.

This review is important work, our pharmacists have an important role to play in relieving some of the burden on our hospitals and are an important member of a multidisciplinary team of health care professionals.

Labor is committed to continuing to work with our Pharmacists across Tasmania to ensure we can provide improved access to health care to Tasmanians no matter where they live.

Anita Dow MP
Shadow Health Minister