Aged care in the home
H. LETTAU (Letters, The Examiner, February 20), is correct when she points to the confusion and seeming lack of consistency in the funding of aged care in the home.
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A recent aged-care sector report highlighted a home care funding shortfall in Tasmania of some $93 million.
With an ageing society and growing demand service providers like Community Care Tasmania have been confronted with difficult decisions around how to balance limited government funds, appropriate client contributions and providing quality services to the many Tasmanians needing care.
How the aged-care industry can continue to balance resources with demand is an emerging policy dilemma that the nation seriously needs to address.
That is why we have been forced to increase the contributions made by clients for the first time in a decade, 80 per cent of the total cost is still funded by the tax payer, however.
Community Care Tasmania seeks regular feedback from our clients and to date the feedback we receive regarding our staff and services is overwhelmingly positive. While we are always open to suggestions on how we may improve our services we remain very proud of our staff and the quality services they deliver.
Wendy Mitchell, chief executive officer, Community Care Tasmania.
LGH and Dr Fettke
I WORK in the medical profession and it is obvious that there are more and more health issues directly due to the very poor dietary and nutritional habits of our community.
As a result we have to manage serious complications in the care and treatment of patients. Therefore it is inevitable that the medical profession, as a whole, give dietary advice to try to improve patients’ health and medical outcomes.
I hope the Launceston General Hospital supports and corrects any misinformation regarding Gary receiving official caution in 2016 from APHRA.
Catherine Campbell, Launceston.
AFL presence in Tasmania
THE AFL standard is the "gourmet" of football, once tasted you crave for more, irrespective of the price you have to pay.
Tasmania is now paying the price.
We are watching the collapse of football statewide as more sides drop out, no different to small businesses closing down as their customers leave to shop at the larger complexes.
Money should be ploughed into primary schools,and junior football the grassroots, the sooner the better, but perhaps it's too late.
Hugh Boyd, Prospect Vale.
Health
I WAS on a 10-year waiting list to access urgent dental care.
When I started part-time work 15 years ago I was no longer accepted as a patient at Kelham Street Clinic, as I no longer held a health care card, nor am eligible for one.
Am I paying Medicare Levy so people who don’t work can be treated?
I don’t have the luxury of private health insurance.
Where is the incentive to keep working?
I have been told that if I am working then I can afford to pay for dental treatment.
There is no emergency treatment available in the public system for people like me.
I was told that previous governments have had a dentist available for such emergencies situationsas mine.
Where else do you go for help?
If you need any emergency treatment do not go to the emergency department, there is no avenue for help unless you go to a private dentist.
Can either political party please fix this so part-time workers don’t feel penalised for working.
Lee-Anne Stearnes, Ravenswood.
Star Theatre
AS A new “star” arose on the horizon of Invermay last Saturday, it was an absolute pleasure to witness the energy and dedication of the new owners and staff of the Star Theatre literally re-emerge on the cinematic horizon of Launceston’s Invermay Road.
Congratulations to all concerned for the insightfulness and foresight which culminated in this valuable contribution to Northern Tasmania’s cultural fabric.
Kenneth Gregson, Swansea.
Cats
FIFTY kittens need 50 homes (The Examiner, February 20). I sympathise with efforts to save cats at the North-East animal sanctuary, but it’s a vicious circle without cat control.
Kittens become full grown breeding cats without any laws regarding desexing and confinement.
Elsa de Ruyter, St Helens.
RHH
THANK heavens we live in Launceston, where we aren't booming like Hobart, but at least you can get a park.
I had the joyful drive down to the Royal Hobart Hospital yesterday.
Not too bad a drive but once there it was a nightmare.
No parking and riding round for an hour.
All for a 15-minute consultation because, we have no neurologist up North.
Hobart isn't on the radar to visit anytime soon now and I'll be quite happy driving round Lonnie. They may not be spending a great deal of money here but at least daily living is civilised.
Glennis Sleurink, Launceston.
Federal Politics
IF letter writer Lindsay Miller is upset about actions in the last federal election he must be aghast with the goings on in the present federal government.
Barnaby Joyce has set a high benchmark in immoral behaviour which has created even more division in the ranks.
With Abbott and Joyce on the backbench let the fun begin.
Frank Sheahan, Riverside.