Physiotherapy services provided to King Island

Tasmanian Residents draw to the attention of the House:

The unacceptably long waiting times and number of people waiting for physiotherapy services on King Island including preventative health care and those recovering from surgery where timely physiotherapy is crucial to their recovery due to the limited availability of the 'Fly in - Fly out' service that is only provided for one day every two weeks.

We the undersigned call on the State Government to:

1.    Ensure the Tasmanian Health Service (THS) who provide the service, have a full understanding of the unmet need for residents of King Island with regard to access to physiotherapy services in terms of:

        (a)    waiting times; and

        (b)    number of patients waiting for physiotherapy services.

2.    Consider the delivery of a THS physiotherapy service that enables more time for appointments whilst the physiotherapist visits King Island, for example, visiting for two days rather than flying in and out on the same day.

3.    Ensure King Island residents have timely access to physiotherapy to treat and manage;

        (a)    chronic health care;

        (b)    acute injuries; and

        (c)    post-operative patients requiring regular physiotherapy.