There is no plan B for the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH) emergency department (ED) redevelopment
The President of the AMA, Tasmania branch, Dr Michael Lumsden-Steel, calls for the Premier to direct the Treasury to provide the extra $50 million to ensure the entire redevelopment of the Royal Hobart Hospital emergency department.
The government has made a clear undertaking to build a football stadium that meets the AFL requirements and is fit for purpose; we must see the same courage and integrity in health infrastructure needed for Tasmania.
"There is no Plan B for the RHH emergency redevelopment that will not see patients and staff damaged because of an outdated, inadequate emergency department.
"Our ED doctors are angry and distressed at the news that their workplace is not being prioritised and will not be upgraded to meet modern standards to enable them to care for the growing number of sick patients.
"Not following through with the total project will result in one of the most significant waste of taxpayers' money on a project that fails to meet today's demand, let alone tomorrow.
"Working in an overcrowded, old-fashioned ED causes injury to patients who are not seen on time and moral injury to our emergency staff, which leads to burnout and staff exiting health care.
"We know the health department has been told there is no more money for the RHH ED redevelopment by the government, for which the Premier and Treasurer are responsible.
"The result of these cuts will be a sub-standard costly project that will deliver up to 25 fewer lie-down acute adult beds. These are the beds needed for a growing older and sicker population.
"We cannot go backwards!
"We need the extra $ 50 million now to deliver the original project.
"The Treasurer and Premier must intervene and deliver the money required for sick Tasmanians.
"The AMA cannot and will not sit by and watch this government's worst decision regarding critical health infrastructure go through unchallenged.
"We need the government to prioritise sick Tasmanians.
"There cannot be a more critical project than this one for southern Tasmania!">>>ENDS