Supplementary - Gastroenterology crisis

Mrs Armitage (Launceston) to the Honourable Leader of Government in the Legislative Council, Dr Vanessa Goodwin -

While I appreciate the answer the Leader gave, there actually was not an answer to my first question, when are these urgent patients going to be seen? Not who we are telling and what we are doing, but when is the money going to be there for urgent patients who should be seen within 30 days but who at the moment are waiting up to six months, when are they going to be seen?

Dr Vanessa Goodwin -

The Tasmanian Health Service has advised the Minister for Health that it commenced provision of the additional theatre sessions to address Gastroenterology waitlist demands at the Launceston General Hospital in the last week of February 2017.

In addition, recruitment is currently underway for a full-time specialist gastroenterologist at the LGH, and while that occurs a locum gastroenterologist has been engaged to ensure there is no gap in service delivery.

While the prioritisation of individual cases remain a matter for treating clinicians, these measures will put downward pressure on waiting times.