ANMF announces support for Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Health System

WHAT: ANMF Media Call
WHERE: ANMF Office 182 Macquarie Street, Hobart
WHEN: 1.40pm, Wednesday, November 11 (ANMF Branch Secretary Emily Shepherd & ANMF members available for media interview)

The ANMF today announced its support for the AMA’s call for a Commission of Inquiry into the Tasmanian Health System.

ANMF Tasmania Branch Secretary Emily Shepherd said the ANMF has taken time to consider all aspects of what this would mean.

“Ultimately, ANMF Council has determined that it will uncover the truth, the challenges and solutions to a health system that has been in perpetual crisis for years,” Ms Shepherd said.

“The ANMF has not made this decision lightly, but our members know all too well the challenges of working within the Tasmanian Health System, challenges that they say are getting worse year upon year, despite State and Federal Government continually referencing their increasing health budget funding.

“Frustratingly, ANMF members continue to grapple with providing quality patient care in a system that is struggling to cope with demand, without sufficient services or inpatient beds.”

Ms Shepherd said those awaiting aged facilities are also waiting longer in acute hospitals longer than ever before.

“This is a problem the State Government has called on the Federal Government to fix.

“Our members feel a Commission of Inquiry will thoroughly explore all facets to the growing complexity of delivering care to elderly Tasmanians and where the funding and accountability lies in addressing this growing challenge.”

Ms Shepherd said while the ANMF acknowledges despite growing supporters for a Commission of Inquiry, the State Government has ruled it out due to cost.

“However, the ANMF believes a Commission of Inquiry is exactly what is needed to ensure that the Government and Tasmanians accessing the health systems are getting the best outcomes or return on that investment.

“According to the State Government, $10 million dollars a day is being spent on delivering health – so if a Commission of Inquiry was to cost $30 million, this would equate to only three days of health care delivery.

“A Commission of Inquiry would likely uncover how to make the system more efficient, more effective and better support health care staff and importantly, patients.”

Ms Shepherd said as health practitioners, nurses and midwives understand the critical need for reflection in their clinical practice, reflection on when things have gone well, where they could be improved and also when things do not go well at all.

“When clinical practice outcomes do not go well, they are examined carefully and thoroughly through morbidity and mortality meetings. This allows careful examination of the clinical matter and an provides an opportunity for practice improvement.

“Our members don’t shy away from that reflection. In fact, it is welcomed particularly when there is a poor clinical outcome for a patient, they recognise that the only way to improve in the future is to identify the root cause and without this identification, the mistakes happen over and over again.

“A Commission of Inquiry into the health system is not about blame, it’s about identifying the root cause of the challenges so that they don’t continue to create inefficiency and an ineffective health system both now but into the future.”

-End-

Media contact:
Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary
Mobile: 0400 884 021
Email: Emily.Shepherd@anmftas.org.au