The state’s GPs are calling on politicians to stop accepting donations from the tobacco and gambling industries, in a bid to improve the health of Tasmanians.
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In its pre-election submission, released on Tuesday, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners said Tasmania needed an urgent review of the health system, and a solid commitment to preventative health.
The college named smoking rates, gambling addictions and flu vaccinations as some of the biggest issues in the lead-up to the election.
RACGP president Dr Bastian Seidel said keeping Tasmanians healthy and out of hospitals had to be a priority if the government wanted to improve the health system.
“Given the clear impact general practice has on health it makes sense that our government invests in preventive medical care delivered by Tasmanian specialist GPs, to avoid overcrowding in the expensive hospital system,” he said.
“Committing to improve preventative healthcare services is a ground level approach for a multilevel issue.”
In its submission, RACGP Tasmania proposed four key primary healthcare strategies, including:
Increasing funding to smoking and gambling cessation programs, including a commitment to stop acceptance of political donations from tobacco and gambling industries.
Setting a 72-hour target for all THS hospitals for the delivery or provision of discharge summaries to general practice.
Providing free flu vaccinations to those visiting their GPs and free fruit to public schools.
Implementing general practice internships for postgraduate year 1 and 2 medical practitioners as a state sponsored program.
Health Minister Michael Ferguson welcomed the submission from from the RACGP.
“The Liberals will release a comprehensive health policy during the state election campaign which reflects our commitment to continue to prioritise health so more Tasmanians can get the care they need sooner,” he said.
Opposition Leader Rebecca White said health, with a central focus on preventative health, was Labor’s “number one priority”.
“Labor’s commitment is to help keep Tasmanians healthier for longer from birth to old age because the best way to take the pressure off Tasmania’s health system and to address the crisis in our hospitals is to act early and intervene sooner,” she said.
