There are fears allied health workers like speech pathologists, physiotherapists and psychologists will be targeted under cuts to Tasmania’s largest health organisation.
Unions have been briefed by the Southern Health Organisation about looming redundancies and have been shown a draft communique, expected to be released in coming days.
It invites employees in certain areas to apply for voluntary redundancies, including those in corporate and administrative support, allied health and other roles not providing direct service delivery with clients or patients.
A total of 224 full-time jobs need to be cut from the Health Department by June but the communique said medical staff and nurses would not be considered.
Health and Community Services state secretary Tim Jacobson said the inclusion of allied health professionals like speech pathologists, physiotherapists and psychologists would affect patient care.
“Doctors and nurses are not the only people in our health system who provide direct care to patients. There are a multitude of staff,” he said.
Social worker Pru Peschar works for the organisation and is worried about her future.
The allied health professional works with palliative care patients, people suffering mental illness and victims of domestic violence.
“We’re feeling very stretched, very overwhelmed and that impacts upon our ability to do the job. We can’t be two places at once,” Ms Peschar said.
Opposition spokeswoman Michelle O’Byrne also fears the cuts will affect patient care.
“Those services make sure people stay out of hospital once they’ve received treatment but they also mean people don’t end up in hospital. It is a false economy to cut those services,” she said.
In a statement, the Government said departments were continuing to work through savings targets.
“As with all areas of Government, THO [Tasmanian Health Organisation] South is seeking to make reductions in administrative and management positions rather than people providing direct service delivery,” it said.
The State Government announced in July it would scrap the three regional health organisations in favour of one entity.
It promised the move would save $21 million over four years.