Tasmanian Health Assistance Package
The Australian Government is investing $325m over four years to help get Tasmania’s health system back on track. This web page provides information on the composition and implementation of the health assistance package.
On 15 June 2012, The Minister for Health, the Hon Tanya Plibersek MP, announced a $325 million rescue package for Tasmania’s health system, outlining a number of significant investments to ease pressures and equip Tasmania’s health system to meet future challenges. For the full media release please visit Getting Tasmania's Health System Back on Track.
The $325m Assistance Package is designed to benefit all Tasmanians. Commonwealth funding will be provided for a range of initiatives across the Tasmanian health system, with the aim of enhancing timely access to primary health care, acute care, palliative care and mental health services. These service improvement initiatives will be underpinned by investment in the adoption of eHealth, and in building the capacity of a locally trained and appropriate workforce.
The composition and design of the Package was informed by the views and suggestions of local clinicians and health professionals, along with advice provided by a broad range of other local stakeholders, to ensure that the money delivers real and sustainable health benefits for Tasmanians over the next four years.
The Package represents new investment by the Commonwealth in Tasmania’s health system on top of existing funding commitments since 2007 of more than $2.2 billion.
The Commonwealth is working with the Tasmanian Government and other stakeholders on the implementation of the Package to maximise benefits across the Tasmanian health system.
The total funding for the Package, across Tasmania, is $325.2m over four years (which includes small administrative overheads):
2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | 2015-16 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$38.8m | $88.6m | $103.7m | $94.1m | $325.2m |
On 13 September 2012, Minister Plibersek announced that the Commonwealth and Tasmanian Governments have signed an Agreement that will deliver at least 2,600 additional elective surgery operations in Tasmania. For the full media release please visit Agreement signed for extra elective surgery in Tasmania
Under this Agreement, $30.5 million is available to the Tasmanian Government over four years to target those patients who have been waiting longest for their surgery, across a range of agreed surgical categories. For more information please visit the PDF printable version of National Partnership Agreement on Improving Health Services in Tasmania - including Schedule A: Reducing Elective Surgery Waiting Lists in Tasmania
The Package is not a bailout nor a takeover of the public health system. The four year, finite funding Package is Commonwealth controlled and is aimed at making Tasmania’s health system more sustainable in the long term.
The Commonwealth recognises the importance of ensuring that experts and key stakeholders have an opportunity for input into the implementation of these initiatives. It is also recognised that many of these initiatives are interlinking and must be developed and implemented with this in mind, in order to get the best outcomes and benefits for Tasmanians. Opportunities for stakeholder engagement to support the implementation of the Package will be identified on this website, over time.
A Key Facts and Figures document has been prepared to provide a summary of the Package composition. This is available in accessible format and PDF (468 KB).
Commission on Delivery of Health Services in Tasmania
On 13 September 2012, Minister Plibersek also announced the establishment of the Commission on the Delivery of Health Services in Tasmania. For the full media release please visit Agreement signed for extra elective surgery in Tasmania.The Commission has an important advisory and oversight role on the implementation of the Package. It is pursuing system-wide improvements to ensure that real and sustained reform to Tasmania’s health system is achieved.
The Commission consists of three highly qualified health experts with the local experience and significant expertise in system reform - Mr Alan Bansemer, Dr Alasdair MacDonald and Dr Heather Wellington:
- Mr Alan Bansemer, former Health Commissioner of Western Australia, will chair the Commission. Mr Bansemer has played a key role in several national health bodies including the Australian Health Ministers’ Advisory Council, Health Insurance Commission, Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, General Practice Consultative Committee, Casemix Implementation Project Board, Medicare Schedule Review Board and the Australian Medical Workforce Advisory Committee.
- Tasmanian physician Alasdair MacDonald who has played a key role on many state health committees. Dr MacDonald is the Director of Medicine at Launceston General Hospital, President of Adult Division Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Tasmania, and a member of the National Lead Clinicians Group.
- Medical practitioner and lawyer Dr Heather Wellington, who was born and spent her early years in Tasmania. Dr Wellington is a member of the Expert Panel under the National Partnership Agreement on Improving Public Hospital Services and is a former member of the Australian Council for Safety and Quality in Health Care. She has held the senior clinical role of Director of Medical Services at the Geelong Hospital and has broad experience in a number of jurisdictions including in developing the Tasmania Health Plan.
The Commission has already begun to meet and consult with stakeholders. To enable effective stakeholder engagement and facilitate the flow of information on the work of the Commission, a website for the Commission has been established: Tasmania Health Commission.
The Commission's Terms of Reference are available on the Commission's website.
Media enquiries
Media enquiries in relation to Australian Government's Tasmanian Health Assistance Package should be directed to the Media Unit by phone on (02) 6289 7400 or by email to NewsHelp with accessing large documents
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