Mrs Armitage (Launceston) to ask the Honourable the Leader of the Government -

With reference to the Department of Treasury and Finance Revised Estimates report 2014-2015 (including December Quarterly report) page 82 – Special Deposits and Trust Fund Balances -

Patient Trust and Hospital Bequest Account balances as at 31 December 2014 – THO South was $9.8 million, THO North-West was $1.1 million and THO North was $10.9 million; and Operating Account balances as at 31 December 2014 were THO South $2.7 million, THO North-West $0.6 million, and THO North $21.1 million.

(1) Can the Government provide an assurance that the Trust and Operating Account balances as detailed is an accurate reflection of all Trust Accounts held by each THO?

(2) Will there be any changes to their governance arrangements under one THS?

Answer from the Leader of Government, Dr Vanessa Goodwin:

(1) Yes. The 2014-15 Revised Estimates Report identifies the actual cash balance as at 31 December 2014 for the respective Tasmanian Health Organisation (THO) Patient Trust and Hospital Bequest Accounts.

(2) No. Under the Tasmanian Health Service, the three Patient Trust and Hospital Bequest Accounts and the three Operating Accounts will be combined into a single Patient Trust and Hospital Bequest Account and a single Operating Account for the Tasmanian Health Service (THS).

At this time, there are no proposed changes to the administration of Trust Accounts as part of the establishment of the THS.

Answer provided Thursday May 28, 2015.