Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff has a duty of care to ensure those experiencing mental ill health are provided with ongoing treatment and support.
When asked in Parliament today when he first became aware about the closure of St Helen’s Private Hospital, Premier Rockliff continued to be vague and provide little reassurance he has the issue in hand.
The Premier is failing to act on protecting those with mental ill health and these people are deeply concerned for what lays ahead.
Today, I am joined by former first responder Claire Lowe, who has received treatment at St Helen’s for both Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and as an inpatient of the Mother Baby Unit.
Claire says the care she received at St Helen’s saved her life and believes the Premier is not listening to workers and those receiving care or in mental distress.
Understandably, she is highly concerned and disappointed by the Premier’s lack of care.
When St Helen’s closes next month, all those who cannot access treatment at the Hobart Clinic or Peacock Centre will need to present to the Royal Hobart Hospital. This will place further pressure on the public health service, which is already at breaking point.
When was the Premier first informed of the pending closure?
The loss of the 31 inpatient mental health beds and the eight bed Mother and Baby Unit is dire and could lead to worse mental health and wellbeing for Tasmanians.
It is clear that Premier Rockliff is failing Tasmanians with a lack of action. If the Liberals haven’t fixed the mental health crisis in 10 years, they never will.
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Minister for Health