John L. Grove Rehabilitation Unit at Launceston General Hospital

Tasmanian Citizens draws to the attention of the House: John L. Grove (JLG) is a 20 Bed Rehabiilitation Unit annex to the Launceston General Hospital (LGH). Through federal funding via the National Partnerships Agreement JLG, over the last 18 months, has been successful in treating a wide range of slow stream rehabilitation patients, 30% of these patients come from the acute surgical wards of the LGH, freeing these beds for surgical cases that in turn goes to reducing the already long Tasmania waiting list for elective surgery. To carry out these vital services JLG employs around 30 Nurses, 11 Hospital Assistants, 8 Allied Health Professionals, 4 Allied Health Assistants and 1 Administration Ward Clerk. Federal funding for this vital service will cease as of 30 June 2015. The responsibility for ongoing funding of JLG is now firmly in the hands of the State Government. Without State Government funding JLG will close and along with it the vital service that it provides to the people of the North and North West of Tasmania and the jobs of the people providing this service. Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to ensure the State Government honors their election promise of no loss to frontline services and provide the required funding to keep the vital sub acute rehabilitation service of JLG open.