A Cancer Survivor’s Disappointment Over Hospital Funding
A cancer survivor who was seen alongside the Tasmanian premier during last year’s state election campaign, when hospital investment was announced, has expressed disappointment that the plan appears to be “on the back burner.”
The Liberals pledged $117 million in additional funding at the North West Regional Hospital, where Grant Howe, who was undergoing treatment for throat and neck cancer at the time, was present. Premier Jeremy Rockliff stated that this commitment would bring the government’s total investment to $174.8 million, which he claimed would fund and accelerate the entire first stage of the North West Hospitals Masterplan.
However, there is no new funding allocated in the state budget. Mr Howe, who travels to the mainland for cancer treatment, highlighted that many others cannot afford the travel costs to the mainland.
“To be able to give and afford that choice to people and to ensure that everyone gets the very best chance of the best treatment and early interventions as possible … the investment in Burnie would’ve been amazing to do that, and so it’s a little bit disappointing to hear that that’s at this stage on the back burner,” he told the ABC.
Premier Rockliff told parliament yesterday that the government remains committed to a “20-year vision” at the site. However, Mr Howe said that offered little comfort.
“Longer-term vision’s fine to say, but I would question any political party in Australia having a long-term vision, because all I see is politicians having a short-term vision, and that’s about the next three years before they have to go to an election again.”
“This just seems to be another case of that.”
“I dispute the long-term vision, because long-term things get forgotten.”
Hospitals’ Funding Perplexes Treasurer
At the time of the announcement, Premier Rockliff said he was “very proud” to stand alongside Mr Howe, stating the funds would fund and accelerate the entire first stage of the North West Hospitals Masterplan.
“Stage one will, of course, include existing announcements when it comes to the new mental health precinct and expanded emergency department,” he said at the time.
“Also, we’re going all the way with stage one when it comes to inpatient facilities, when it comes to more cancer and dialysis and diagnostic services, and indeed also the car park as well … all completed by 2030.”
Labor’s Treasury Spokesperson Dean Winter raised the issue of North West Regional Hospital funding in question time yesterday.
“Can you tell the house where in the budget we can find the funding for the full North West Hospitals masterplan, as promised at last year’s election?” he asked Treasurer Eric Abetz.
The question appeared to be met with some confusion from the Treasurer, who was unable to provide an answer as he flicked through a briefing document in front of him.
“I am not sure that I’ve got the exact detail in relation to that,” Mr Abetz said.
“We are committed to it. On what exact page that can found in the four volumes of the budget, I’m not able to tell, but I will seek to get back in touch with the Honourable member as soon as I can identify,” he said.
To a later question, Premier Rockliff pointed to funding in the budget for existing projects at the NWRH, as evidence of the government’s commitment to the hospital.
The cost of those, which include a mental health precinct, appears to have been increased by $10 million to $67 million.
“We’re getting on with the job of completing the first stage of the North West Hospitals Masterplan, which is a 20-year vision to transform health care to meet the future needs of the community,” he said.
Funding Contingent on Federal Monies
When making the announcement, Mr Rockliff said the Liberals were “locking in” funding regardless of federal funding.
“We will continue working with the federal Labor government to secure a funding partnership for these important upgrades, but in the absence of any leadership from Canberra, we will lock in funding to provide certainty to the north west and ensure these important projects will be delivered,” he said.
However, the budget papers list the project as contingent on Australian Government funding. It cites the cost of the project’s stage on as $73.9 million, split equally between the state and federal funds.
Following question time yesterday, Burnie Mayor Teeny Brumby, who also stood alongside the Premier last year, said she welcomes continued commitments to upgrades at the North West Regional Hospital, citing the mental health precinct and the emergency ward expansion.
“Of course, like many across the region, I would always welcome additional investment and, as Mayor, I will continue advocating strongly for the full masterplan vision to be realised over time,” she said.
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