Tasmanian health cuts

by Bill Briggs in Tasmania

An emotionally charged rally in Launceston, Tasmania, has condemned savage 
cuts to health care which have been announced by the State Labor 
Government.

Thirty-five million dollars is to be cut from state health funding and 
another $14.8 million offered by the Federal Government has been withdrawn. 
The 200 people who gathered in Launceston have set up an action group to 
fight these moves.

Scott Parkes, chairman of the Launceston General Hospital Medical 
Association, told the rally: "we have had to postpone cancer surgery 
because of lack of facilities, and that is happening more frequently".

The hospital is currently using only two of its five operating theatres.

The cuts to Tasmania's health services mean a slashing of almost a million 
dollars from this one hospital.

"In the past two years, 30 to 40 beds have been closed at Launceston", Mr 
Parkes continued. These figures are mirrored across the State.

People in rural areas are travelling long distances for treatment, only to 
be turned away and asked to come back at later dates.

Some patients have been "fobbed off" repeatedly. As stroke victim Barbara 
Daly pointed out, "people's lives are being severely affected mentally and 
physically. Pensioners are being forced to suffer in silence."

Retired senior doctor George Vidor perhaps summed up the feelings of many 
when he stated that he had "become active because the rights of the 
underprivileged are being eroded. Health care should be equally available 
to the poor as well as the rich."