Health Minister Michael Ferguson says he is “deeply concerned” about the outcome of the tender process for rural health services providers by Primary Health Tasmania, as it appears to have “short changed many regional communities”.
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Mr Ferguson said he would “urgently” discuss the government’s concern with the PHT CEO and board, and said he would write to the Federal Health Minister, asking her to “personally intervene in this matter with a view to maintaining services”.
Five organisations were announced as primary health providers on Tuesday under the new program. Meander Valley councillors and residents on Wednesday voiced further concern about losing the services of a social worker, a mental health worker and a youth health and development worker.
Programs at the Westbury Community Health Centre will come to an end next week.
A new rural health program is rolled out from January 1. The new program will see the Meander Valley serviced by Diabetes Tasmania.
Mayor Craig Perkins said the new service was welcomed, but the new arrangements did not reflect Primary Health Tasmania’s community consultation.
PHT chief executive Phil Edmondson said during the tender process, PHT could “only consider the applications” they received during the process. He said PHT had been in touch with the Meander Valley mayor and offered to “discuss working with the community to explore what options might be available” to help them address any needs that could not be funded under the program.
