$700 million health cuts won’t help Ambulance Tasmania accreditation

Revelations that Ambulance Tasmania is only meeting 17 per cent of safety and quality standards has thrust the $700 million worth of cuts Eric Abetz is making to the health system further under the spotlight.

Over the past few months, Tasmanians have read stories in the media about people being sent taxis instead of ambulances when they are having seizures, or people waiting hours on the cold concrete for an ambulance to arrive.

The report notes that addressing the accreditation issues would take a “substantial investment of time (potentially 1-3 years) and resources”.

It is impossible to see how this will happen while Bridget Archer lets Eric Abetz cut $700 million from the health system.

Can the Minister guarantee Ambulance Tasmania will be able to reach accreditation at the same time Abetz’ cuts fall?