LABOR leader Bryan Green has accused the State Government of privatising hospital services by stealth on the North-West Coast as a review only looks at outsourcing hospital support jobs at Burnie and Latrobe.
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It comes after Health and Community Services Union members voted on Wednesday in favour of implementing non-medical work bans at the North-West Regional Hospital over concerns that 100 North-West hospital jobs could be axed because of the review by the Tasmanian Health Service.
Mersey Community Hospital members will meet next week to decide on the work bans.
The THS has been reviewing food services and other support services at the two Coastal hospitals but not at the public hospitals in Launceston and Hobart.
Acting health minister Rene Hidding yesterday labelled the concerns raised as "another scare campaign" from the unions and Labor.
"The stop work by a small number of HACSU members and false claims made by Bryan Green should be seen for what it is - playing politics," Mr Hidding said.
Mr Hidding said there was no predetermined plan or decision on the support services review.
"Unions and staff will be informed when the review is complete and what recommendations are being considered. No changes will be made without consultation with staff and unions," he said.
Mr Hidding said the review complemented the move to a statewide health system but did not explain why it only applied to hospitals at Burnie and Latrobe.
A government spokesperson said the review was started by the former THO NW.
But Mr Green said the government should not be allowed to get away with outsourcing jobs at the Mersey and NWRH.
"The Liberals have a track record of privatisation when they are under pressure just as they did in the past when they sold the women's hospital in Hobart and the Mersey," he said.
