An elderly Rokeby woman who suffered a fall in the early hours of Tuesday morning last week was left laying on the floor in limbo for six hours before a paramedic arrived, according to Labor.
The opposition claim Kristina Reid, 74, found herself needing to call for an ambulance not once but three times, first at 12:30am with a paramedic only showing up at 6:30am.
“After 10 years of Liberal Government mismanagement, Minister Barnett would be better to focus on fixing our decaying health system instead of making ridiculous decisions and denying paramedics Christmas decorations,” Labor MLC Sarah Lovell said.
She called on the state government to alleviate pressure on the health system by appointing paramedics currently employed on short-term arrangements to permanent positions.
“In one instance a paramedic shared that on any given day two thirds of Hobart’s metro ambulance shifts are going unfilled, leading to delayed treatment and worse patient outcomes,” she said.
“In turn this is having a devastating impact on our health workforce, who are fatigued and leaving for better conditions and pay interstate.”
“The Government’s own Operational Research in Health Report 2023 clearly shows that 126 extra paramedics are needed, with 87 additional paramedics by 2025-2026.”
The State Government said while they wouldn’t comment on individual cases, they are investing in their health system “to provide the best possible service for Tasmanians”.
MP Nic Street says their investment in the health system makes up more than a third of their state budget.
“We’re investing more now than we ever have, both in the real terms, but also in monetary terms,” he told reporters on Tuesday.
