THE state government should direct more money to the Launceston General Hospital if the facility is to assume a greater share of major procedures, a senior surgeon says. The state government's health reform white paper is expected to recommend the LGH assume responsibility for a greater share of tertiary health services across the North and North-West. LGH surgeon Berni Einoder said the hospital was well placed to take on more responsibility. "We certainly have the staff expertise to do what is necessary to keep up with world's best practice," he said. "We've got one of the best teaching reputations for our junior doctors." But Professor Einoder, who is a former head of surgery at the hospital, said more resources would be needed to keep pace with demand. "I expect, therefore, that politicians will improve our facilities to cope with the additional workload," he said. An exposure draft of the white paper is due by the end of the month. Health Minister Michael Ferguson said the report would give a clear picture of the role the LGH would play into the future. "[It] will detail which services, based on clinical advice, can safely be delivered at each of our major hospitals," he said. "There is no doubt that the LGH will continue to play a crucial role both in the delivery of health services statewide and as a highly valued training facility." He has previously said the white paper process was about saving lives, and not saving money. Labor health spokeswoman Rebecca White said she was concerned that the government already appeared to have made major decisions about the way health services were delivered. "The minister is already talking about services to be delivered from Launceston as if it's already a foregone conclusion," she said. "That makes a mockery of his promise that there would be additional consultation with the community."
THE state government should direct more money to the Launceston General Hospital if the facility is to assume a greater share of major procedures, a senior surgeon says.
The state government's health reform white paper is expected to recommend the LGH assume responsibility for a greater share of tertiary health services across the North and North-West.
LGH surgeon Berni Einoder said the hospital was well placed to take on more responsibility.
"We certainly have the staff expertise to do what is necessary to keep up with world's best practice," he said.
"We've got one of the best teaching reputations for our junior doctors."
But Professor Einoder, who is a former head of surgery at the hospital, said more resources would be needed to keep pace with demand.
"I expect, therefore, that politicians will improve our facilities to cope with the additional workload," he said.
An exposure draft of the white paper is due by the end of the month.
Health Minister Michael Ferguson said the report would give a clear picture of the role the LGH would play into the future.
"[It] will detail which services, based on clinical advice, can safely be delivered at each of our major hospitals," he said.
"There is no doubt that the LGH will continue to play a crucial role both in the delivery of health services statewide and as a highly valued training facility."
He has previously said the white paper process was about saving lives, and not saving money.
Labor health spokeswoman Rebecca White said she was concerned that the government already appeared to have made major decisions about the way health services were delivered.
"The minister is already talking about services to be delivered from Launceston as if it's already a foregone conclusion," she said.
"That makes a mockery of his promise that there would be additional consultation with the community."
