A Dean Winter Labor Government will deliver a Fresh Start to healthcare in our regions by establishing nurse-first care in 18 regional hospitals and health centres. 

Labor will recruit a nurse practitioner to every regional hospital, followed by expanded allied health outreach services. 

Labor’s regional healthcare plan will:

• Make it easier for people to get healthcare at regional hospitals – including urgent treatment from a nurse practitioner
• Deliver more appointments with physios, psychologists and occupational therapists in our regional hospitals
• Provide prenatal checks in our regional hospitals
• Over time, turn our regional hospitals into active multidisciplinary health centres

Why we need it

After 11 years under the Liberals, Tasmanians in our regions are forced to travel to big cities to treat even the most minor conditions. 

At the same time, our regional hospitals are only used to an average of 50% capacity. It doesn’t make sense.

• Underutilisation of regional hospitals is contributing to overcrowding at major hospitals, and forcing people to travel long distances for the care they need.
• People needing allied health services also need to travel, often frequently, to big cities at significant expense.
• We need a Fresh Start to improve healthcare for Tasmanians and take pressure off our major hospitals.

The details

A Dean Winter Labor Government will activate our regional hospitals as vital health facilities and turn them into truly multidisciplinary health hubs.

Labor will immediately begin recruitment for a nurse practitioner position in every hospital, so services can begin expanding as soon as possible.

A Labor Government will provide $1 million to expand allied health outreach services, including occupational therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, dietitians and podiatrists, to regional hospitals.  We will further fund $2 million for pre-natal checks in regional hospitals.

Over time, our 18 regional hospitals will become active multidisciplinary health centres, including subacute beds for step-down from tertiary hospitals.

Additionally, Labor will work with current health professionals and the Commonwealth Government to enable more Nurse Practitioner-led health clinics, like Cygnet clinic, to operate to support the health needs of Tasmanians, particularly in our regions.