Australian Government accepts recommendations of Mersey report

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8 May 2008

The Australian Government has accepted the recommendations of the independent report concerning options for the safest and most sustainable model of critical care services at the Mersey Community Hospital.

Our first priority will always be the safety and sustainability of services at the Mersey.

The report, prepared by SpencerSmith and Associates, recommended:

• development of a formal regional critical care network
• that a high dependency unit is the safest and most sustainable model of critical care at the Mersey Community Hospital
• against an intensive care unit at the hospital, outlining that this option is unsafe to pursue.

The Australian Government is satisfied that a high dependency unit will effectively and safely meet the health care needs of patients, including patients with heart attack, stroke, severe asthma or other conditions requiring specialist care and monitoring.

To meet the care needs of the local community, Mersey’s high dependency unit will operate in conjunction with other critical care services throughout the north-west region of Tasmania, as recommended by the report.

I have also begun discussions with the Tasmanian Minister for Health and Human Services, Lara Giddings, to ensure that we work in conjunction to implement and support a critical care networking model for the people of North West Tasmania.

Before last year’s election, Labor promised to honour the heads of agreement signed by the Liberal Government, containing a guarantee that the Commonwealth would fund the Mersey Hospital. The Rudd Government has delivered on that election promise, and ensured the continuing provision of safe and sustainable services at the Mersey.


Media inquiries only: Sean Kelly - 0417 108 362
For all other inquiries please contact the Minister's office - 02 6277 7220

 

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