The Health Minister could be forgiven for needing caffeine – in the past five days, the Bass MHA has launched major policy reform with the Rethink Mental Health report and the health white paper.

When Mr Ferguson woke up on Wednesday, the state’s three Tasmanian Health Organisations had been collapsed into a single Tasmanian Health Service.

No wonder Mr Ferguson was so busy talking that his tea went cold.

‘‘This is a very important day,’’ he said in his office, gesturing at a map of the state  as he discussed the formation of a single THS.

The day was significant to the entire health sector as it was the first time the nine-member THS governing council met.

Mr Ferguson said the creation of the THS would ensure all patients – regardless of where they lived – received uniform care.

Early criticisms of the concept had members of the Northern THO worried that the organisation would be forced to prop up the deficit-carrying THOs of the South and North-West.

Mr Ferguson said that way of thinking had ended.

‘‘I don’t see any particular risk, but we do need to move away from the concept of a Northern health service as being distinct from the Southern or North-West,’’ he said.

‘‘If you lived in Launceston or Deloraine or Scottsdale, you are waiting different lengths of time compared to someone in Hobart or Smithton for something which you equally deserve treatment.’’

Key recommendations in the health white paper included more complex surgeries in Launceston and Hobart, an expansion of Mersey Community Hospital’s Elective Surgery Centre day surgery centre, a $5.4million investment in 12 extra paramedics based in Devonport and Latrobe from July 2016, and an $8.2million investment into affordable accommodation for patients and families travelling for health care.

An area that caused particular community concern was a move to have North-West birthing services provided only at the North West Regional Hospital by 2016. The Mersey will retain its emergency department but lose its birthing suite as it is transformed into a dedicated elective surgery centre.

Community members have petitioned Mr Ferguson over the issue. 

One woman wrote of people unable to afford petrol to get to the North-West Regional Hospital to give birth, let alone antenatal and postnatal appointments.

Mr Ferguson said he understood the concerns but said there was nothing to fear. ‘‘Certainly, the most important issue is to provide a service that is safe and sustainable into the long term.

‘‘We actually don’t want to just move birthing to Burnie; we want to build a level-four maternity service for the North-West Coast where birthing is at Burnie but ... antenatal care, postnatal care will be available at both sites.’’

Another concern was the white paper’s increased demand from hospitals without a commensurate boost in staffing.

Mr Ferguson said resources would need to complement the changes and $100million detailed in the budget was to recognise that.

‘‘The whole premise of the white paper is how we can work within our existing resources with the money that we’ve got ... how can we spend it differently ... how can we spend it better.

‘‘I’m open to the concept of employing additional staff where required to deliver the reforms, but obviously, we need to have a regard for budget.’’

He said he was aware the journey to long-term health reform in Tasmania had just begun, but that he was pleased with the support shown for the plans.