Pain Management Services - North and North-West Tasmania

Ms ARMITAGE question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

[2.40 p.m.]

On 11 July 2018 in answer to a question without notice, I was advised the Government has a six-year, $275 million health plan that includes pain management. I appreciate the Tasmanian Health Service continues to progress planning for improved pain services in the north and the north-west as soon as possible.

Honourable Leader, with respect, 'as soon as possible' is not a satisfactory answer. I again ask: can the Leader please advise the actual time frame for the Musculoskeletal Clinical Advisory Group steering committee to finalise its work and a statewide pain service to be provided?

ANSWER

Mr President, I thank the member for Launceston for her question.

The Musculoskeletal Clinical Advisory Group steering committee has finalised its work. The Tasmanian Health Service executive has requested this work to be implemented through a staged approach with the priorities for progression as per three points -

· pain and rheumatology on the north and north-west

· spinal conditions across the state

· joints in the north

Work has commenced to identify interim options to deliver pain management services in the north and north-west and it is the Government's intention that these services will be operational within six months, subject to recruitment.