Young people are the target of a new strategy from the Tasmanian Government. Photo: Tasmanian Health.
The Tasmanian Government is aiming to improve access to health services for children and young people, releasing strategic priorities to ensure patients receive the care they need.
“It is a priority for us to enhance the delivery of health services for our young people, ensuring they and their families are supported with timely and equitable care,’’ Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing Bridget Archer said.
The plan’s priorities include shortening sub-specialty waiting lists as part of what the government has characterised as a person-centred health system supporting the needs of children and the young.
“To achieve this, it is important that health services are equipped with the appropriate workforce mix, infrastructure and support systems to deliver consistent and high-quality care to those who need it,” Ms Archer said.
The range of measures includes interim actions already underway to bolster services and reduce waiting lists, such as:
- More than $6.6 million in new and increased funding to address paediatric wait lists for conditions such as ADHD and autism, as well as a boost to specialist services by recruiting more paediatric cardiologists, geneticists and other sub-specialists.
- An expansion to paediatric rehabilitation across the state.
- Delivering, with the Commonwealth, a new Southern Intensive Residential Parenting Unit and the Northern Intensive Residential Parenting Unit with Tresillian.
- Developing a Statewide Strategy to Enhance Health Services for Children and Young People, something the government says is already “well underway”. The strategy will be released mid-next year and will follow extensive consumer and clinical consultation.
- Large investments in child and youth mental health with ongoing, major reforms backed by $10 million in recurrent funding. This will deliver about 80 new positions for the Child and Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS). The government says this will increase the statewide workforce by 84 per cent since 2021.
The strategy aims to create a more sustainable system that takes into account the needs of Tasmanians, optimising their health outcomes and their satisfaction with the services.
“Our government is delivering for Tasmania with continued investment and actions to enhance services for children and young people that align with the Long-Term Plan for Healthcare in Tasmania 2040, which prioritises improving access to healthcare services in the community and hospital for this cohort,” Ms Archer said.
The plan can be viewed on the Tasmanian Government’s website here.
