[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Access For all Tasmanians Crucial for RHH Site _ C O'Connor MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

GREENS' CALLS FOR MORE R.H.H. SITE OPTIONS DRIVEN BY CONCERN FOR
PATIENTS, STAFF AND WORKING PORT

Cassy O'Connor MP
Greens Shadow Health Spokesperson

Monday, 27 October 2008
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today said they shared the concerns expressed by
Ambulance Service Chief Executive, Grant Lennox, that patient safety be
the paramount consideration in deciding the location of the new Royal
Hobart Hospital, but said this should not preclude a site outside the
immediate CBD.

Greens Shadow Health spokesperson Cassy O'Connor MP rejected Mr Lennox's
assertion that calls for sites outside the CBD to be considered stem
from self-interest.

"The Greens are wholly concerned for the health and wellbeing of
patients and staff in the debate over a future site of the new hospital.
That is why we do not support redevelopment of the current site," Ms
O'Connor said.

"We are also concerned to ensure the viability and future growth
potential of Hobart's working port is not compromised by the
construction and operation of a waterfront hospital.

 "I respect Mr Lennox's view, and his obvious care for patient
wellbeing, but I have yet to see any clear evidence that a hospital
outside, but no great distance from, the CBD in any direction would be a
danger to patients being transported in ambulances from locations beyond
Hobart."  

"Ease of access is the major issue, and that relates to transport
corridors as well as urban planning considerations."  

"With respect, ambulance transport issues have not been put forward as a
major driver of the Bartlett Government's commitment to a waterfront
hospital."

"At present, patients being transported by helicopter for treatment must
first be landed at the Domain, then be transported through the traffic
to the Royal.  This must result in considerable delays in some
instances.  A new greenfields hospital would have its own dedicated
helipad which would certainly cut travel time for seriously injured or
sick Tasmanians."

"If the government had undertaken more extensive research and
consultation in the first place, these issues of concern to all involved
would have been more seriously examined in the site selection process,"
Ms O'Connor said.




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