News that another Tasmanian community is set to lose their local GP service is yet another indictment on the Liberal government and their complete failure on health.
The departure of Dr Angela Retchford as Geeveston GP will leave the Geeveston and Dover communities without vital health services, with residents facing trips further afield to get medical care.
10 years of Liberal government has done untold damage to Tasmania’s health system, with more than 58,000 people waiting for outpatient appointments, regular ambulance ramping and the worst bed block in the country.
But rather than fixing our health system, the Liberals have cut $145 million from the health budget.
And, now, they won’t even rule out a payroll tax on GPs, which would increase the cost of seeing a GP, and which the AMA has said would be “catastrophic”.
Tasmanians need help with the cost of living and they need health care close to where they live.
It’s time for a better future. A Labor Government will take urgent action on the health, housing and cost-of-living crisis and give Tasmanians the future they deserve.
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing