Tasmania's peak health bodies have welcomed a $92 million federal funding commitment, but have called for more detail on how the money will be spent.
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On Wednesday Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a state-specific funding program aimed at addressing the priority needs of all Tasmanians.
However, Australian Medical Association of Tasmania branch president John Burgess said greater clarification was needed to determine whether the pledge was an increase in addition to previously committed funding.
"Ensuring timely patient access to these important areas of care is an important objective, however, a commitment to ongoing financial support for Tasmanian patients, rather than short term funding is the highest priority," he said.
"It is unclear how and when some of the funds announced today [Wednesday] will be made available, and whether the over-stretched public hospital facilities in Tasmania will be able to respond in the absence of a complementary commitment to funding for infrastructure improvements such as upgrading hospital facilities and employing sufficient clinical staff to open beds."
Both parties have announced funds to establish a mental health centre in Launceston.
However, the Mental Health Council of Tasmania says it has little detail about the plans, despite making its own submission outlining a preferred integrated model of mental health care.
MHCT chief executive Connie Digolis said extensive localised consultation and planning with all relevant stakeholders, would be key in providing a service that worked.
"Integration means truly adopting a 'no wrong door' policy to meet the mental health needs for every individual at every stage of life," she said.
"...it needs to be reiterated that in order for this to be a success there must be extensive localised consultation and planning done with all stakeholders to ensure we are providing the best possible service to meet the needs of this specific community."
In other news:
- ANMF Tasmania formerly rejects latest state government wage offer
- Two retired Victorian W-Class trams transported from Melbourne to Launceston
- High Court of Australia backs Tasmanian legislation on protest-free exclusion zones outside abortion clinics
- Tasmanian vocational education providers welcome Australian Government investment
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
