Opposition leader Rebecca White says her party will have a much more visible presence in the North and North-West of the state in the lead up to the election.

She was in Launceston on Wednesday talking about bed availability and waiting times at the LGH.

Premier Will Hodgman said the government was already addressing those issues within the system.

“We’ve got an opposition that’s complaining when we’re opening more beds, we’re advertising for more staff, we are putting in place a plan to not only get us through difficult and demanding times with additional resources as we have done, but to fix our health system for the long-term,” he said.

“How on earth can they seriously complain when we are opening more beds, we’re advertising for more staff, and putting more practitioners into our health system?”

Ms White visited the LGH on Wednesday, and said staff were “worried about how they’re able to adequately provide care to patients that patients deserve”.

“There are more patients waiting in the emergency department than there are beds available in the hospital, with the longest length of stay being 33 hours for one patient in the emergency department.

“We’ve been talking to staff – both allied health professionals and emergency department staff and nurses working in ward 4D about what they’re dealing with day-to-day and what’s very clear is that they’re feeling the pressure of increased demand at the LGH.

“Winter is just around the corner and the hospital is already under so much pressure ... and the fear is things will become much, much worse, to the point where we’re already at a crisis, and what happens once winter’s arrived?”

Ward 4D was reopened last year by the current government, after being closed by the previous government in 2011.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson said the government was investing a “record amount into health, opening more beds and employing more nurses”.

“There is always more to do, which is why there will be extra funding for health in the upcoming state budget.”

Ms White said health was the number one issue leading up to the state election.

“That’s why we’ve embarked on these crisis talks, to understand from health professionals where the issues are and how we can provide solutions.”

She said Labor would be in the North and North-West “every week” until the election, during another visit to Launceston last week.

“It’s really important for us to have a presence here and that people understand that Labor is active and listening to their issues and making sure we can develop policies that address the community’s ideas and concerns.”