'Health is a big issue': What's on Tasmanians' minds as they head to the poll this Saturday
I'm a nurse and I currently work in the hospital and I have first-hand experience of how dire the situation is. We've got chronic underfunding, chronic under-resourcing, chronic underpayment of staff. We're not being paid enough so we're unable to attract staff. So we can't staff wards appropriately, we can't staff units. That includes nurses, doctors, allied health, pharmacists, like admin as well. Across the board we've been perpetually underfunded for the last ten years.
Leon Compton
One issue you'll be thinking about this state election on Saturday?
Anne
Well I think I've already given you a hint, I'm definitely going to be thinking a lot about health.
Leon Compton
And about health policy and about the future of investment in healthcare systems?
Anne
Oh definitely, because we have not enough staff, hospital staff. The Royal is definitely very, very understaffed and under-resourced and because I spend a lot of time at the Royal Hospital, because I'm a transplant patient, I really think a lot about health. I mean there was an article in the paper a while ago that said that people were being put in a cupboard at the Royal and I thought, yes I've been in that cupboard. So they're actually using resources that are not appropriate for what they're designed for.
Leon Compton
You've literally been put into cupboard space in order to receive treatment, Anne?
Anne
It was a very fancy cupboard, it was an under the stairs cupboard, but it definitely had a sense of light and every time you saw it you had to wave at it.
Leon Compton
Wow.
Kelly
Yeah, health is a big issue. We are an older population, we are sicker, we've got a bigger health load. I worked in health for nearly 40 years, I'm retired. And this government, this has consistently scunned out the health system. It's always about cutting, never about improving.
Tegan
I don't really like Liberals or Labor at the moment, I'm going for the Greens.
Leon Compton
Right, is that a new thing for you Tegan or have you been there before?
Tegan
No, it's been a while coming. The Liberal Party and the Labor Party just don't have what I need for what's going on with my family going forward. They don't have any policies regarding transgender health. And if they do, they're weak, so the Greens it is.
Romeo
Well I suppose those who are really interested in the welfare of the people are the ones I go for.
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