Pain Management Services - Interim Options - North and North-west Tasmania

[2.43 p.m.]

Ms ARMITAGE question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

On 22 August 2018, in answer to a question without notice, I was advised work has commenced to identify interim options to deliver pain management services in the north and north-west, and it is the Government's intention these services are operational within six months, subject to recruitment. Can the Leader please advise in regard to the establishment of these pain management services in north and north-west Tasmania -

(1) When will funding be announced for the creation of these services?

(2) When will funding be made available, given these services are due to be in place for the people of northern Tasmania in the first quarter of 2019?

ANSWER

Mr President, I thank the member for Launceston for her question.

As previously indicated, the answer is that the Tasmanian Health Service is implementing this new service with an intention to commence it in the first quarter of 2019, subject to successful recruitment. Work is underway to recruit a pain service coordinator, which will be an allied health or nursing position. This stage is occurring without the need for specific additional funding. However, future funding needs will need to be considered as the service expands.

As previously advised, the Government is looking to have a service in operation within six months of the response to the member for Launceston's previous question, noting this is subject to successful recruitment.