05-07-2025
Healthcare trumps stadium as top election issue for these Tasmanians
While the proposed Macquarie Point stadium has dominated discussion among ABC Your Say respondents, for many voters health remains front of mind ahead of the Tasmanian state election.
A YouGov poll asked 1,287 Tasmanians to rank their top three issues at the election, with 22 per cent listing "investing more in health" as their number one issue.
Your Say participant Deanna Kruup is speaking out about her experience with Tasmania's health system in the hope that the next government will address shortfalls.
After a complicated and high-risk pregnancy, Ms Kruup developed severe postpartum depression.
She wanted to be admitted to the three-bed mother and baby unit at the Royal Hobart Hospital, but was told she was not eligible.
After five months and a number of referrals, she managed to access help through the Perinatal and Infant Mental Health outpatient service.
"Even though I was accepted eventually that's lost time I'll never get back with my son where I was just so unwell."
She is concerned other women will not be able to access the help they need when they need it.
Ms Kruup said her experience has had a big impact on her life.
"It's something that's going to stay with me for a long time and I would love to have another baby, and now I am really worried about what's going to happen next time."
Earlier this year the state government announced it would transfer its three existing Royal Hobart Hospital beds and create an expanded mother and baby unit at St John's Park in New Town.
There were also plans to establish a new mother and baby unit in the north of the state.
Both are yet to happen.
Fiona MacFarlane said she and her family could "write a book about all the negative experiences that we've had with the Tasmanian health system".
Ms MacFarlane suffers from kidney failure and is approaching end-stage renal failure.
According to the 2021 Census, 37.5 per cent of people living in Tasmania had a long-term health condition, compared with 31.7 per cent of Australians.
These conditions include arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, cancer and kidney disease.
With the prospect of needing dialysis three days a week in the future, Ms MacFarlane decided to move from Tasmania to Brisbane.
Ms MacFarlane has anxiety and depression because of her chronic health condition.
She has spent time at the former St Helen's Private Hospital for mental health care. But after it closed in 2023, Ms MacFarlane felt there would be little support for her ongoing mental health needs.
Ms MacFarlane would like to see money invested in more urgent care clinics in suburban areas, a modern renal unit, and more beds in public and private mental health services.
"The government could prioritise health instead of utopian visions for the future which includes a sports stadium, which is a luxury item, it's frivolous, we don't need it," she said.
Mary from Tasmania's north-west agrees.
"My husband has cancer and has to travel to Hobart [four hours away]," she said.
But Vin from Hobart shared a different view with the ABC's Your Say:
"We need the stadium, health swallows $10 million per day, $370 million will be 37 days of health spend and won't fix the so-called health crisis."
The Rockliff government had said it would cap the state government contribution to the stadium at $375 million.
There are 65,939 Tasmanians waiting to see a specialist in the public health system.
The ABC has heard from people facing long waits to have conditions diagnosed and treated.
"Wife has been on waiting list to see a neurosurgeon for four years," one person wrote to Your Say.
"I have also been waiting to see a neurosurgeon for neck face and head pain for four years now. I receive a text every now and then to see if I want to stay on the list!" another wrote.
There are also shortages and long waits to see specialists in the private sector as some Your Say contributors have found.
"I want to see a massive change in the availability of paediatrics. My son has lived with ADHD his whole life," Allan said.
"It's been confirmed by a psychologist but they can't prescribe medication, and everyone's books are closed."
There are 8,990 Tasmanians on the elective surgery wait list as of May this year.
Ruth from Launceston said she has been "waiting over four years for major surgery."
Dan Geneste has physical and mental disabilities and spends a lot of time dealing with the health system.
She was taken to the Royal Hobart Hospital for mental health issues and waited 12 hours to see a psychiatrist.
"After that, I had to wait another 12-ish hours before I was transferred to the mental health ward."
Ms Geneste also struggled to get a diagnosis for ADHD, waiting two years to see a psychiatrist.
But she has been unable to continue taking medication for ADHD because she is still waiting for her next appointment with a psychiatrist to get a new prescription.
Health will be a big factor in deciding her vote at the upcoming July 19 election.
The ABC has heard from people struggling to access diagnostic screening services.
"All the diagnostic tests I need are either not available in the north of the state and only available in Hobart with extensive wait lists, or the machines are 'broken' or there is no trained personnel available to perform these tests," Lin said.
"It is such a sad state of affairs."
Carol shared with the ABC her month-long wait to have a contrast mammogram after being diagnosed with malignant invasive breast cancer.
"This is impacting on the surgery that I need and is adding extra stress which is a very stressful and frightening time that I am facing."
The Liberals have made a series of health pledges early on in the election campaign.
The big ticket item is 250 new hospital beds through a northern health complex linked to the Launceston General Hospital.
The Liberals have also promised install a CT scanner at St Helens District Hospital
If re-elected, the Liberals would provide four new free-of-charge breast screening clinics for those aged 50-74 years, living in Kingborough, Devonport, Triabunna and Glenorchy.
The party has also promised to allow GPs to diagnose, treat and manage ADHD.
Labor has promised to quarantine $120 million in funding for digital health upgrades.
But the party is yet to release its full list of health policies and promises.
Among the Greens pledges is a plan to increase funding for community nurses by 50 per cent and expand the renal unit in the Launceston suburb of Kings Meadows.
View the Tasmanian health system dashboard for data about wait times, admissions and other information
