According to the latest Tasmanian Health Dashboard data released last week, there has never been a worse time for people needing elective surgery in Tasmania. During August, Tasmanian hospitals were forced to cancel an astounding 338 elective surgeries, which is a record amount.

The number of elective surgery cancellations jumped for the fifth consecutive month – there are now 8,329 people on the elective surgery wait list, up 682 from this time last year.

200 less patients were admitted for surgery from the waitlist this month. And with the Liberal minority government in charge, it’s only set to get worse for Tasmanian patients.

According to the budget papers, the Health Department has been singled out for the deepest cuts, having to find at least $600 million in cuts over the next four years – the largest share of any department.

It is unquestionable that budget cuts of this magnitude are inevitably going to impact service delivery, and patient care. Cutting ‘backline’ positions and support staff is only going to make it harder for hospitals to deliver elective surgeries and Tasmanians will be forced to wait even longer to receive the treatment they need.

The Liberals have blown the budget, and now Tasmanians waiting for surgery are going to pay the price.

Ella Haddad MP
Shadow Minister for Health