Day 24 since closure of A&E began,

Thank you again for supporting and sharing this petition.

During today's press conference health minister Sarah Courtney once again failed to acknowledge the dedicated and highly skilled staff at Mersey Community Hospital (MCH).

This is poor treatment for a group who after providing assistance at Burnie are now caring for patients that NWRH were unable to support. A group who is now currently enduring their own set of struggles.

It's disappointing to hear the health minister constantly refer to the "two hospitals" of the north west coast as if the Mersey did not exist.

Unlike the Health Minister our community appreciates ALL staff across Tasmanian hospitals.

So I want to shout out to everyone at the Mersey and remind them that they are also amazing and operating with incredible grace in a difficult situation.

This includes not only medical staff, but also the multitude of other roles that keep us safe.

Cleaners, attendants, aids, reception, admin, allied health, kitchen, stores, maintenance and so many more, each critical to the functioning of a hospital.

I never fail to be impressed by the professionalism and positivity shining from every corner of the Mersey.

Thus it is no surprise to me that the only brief and unappreciative mention of the Mersey pertained to their expertise in developing and piloting the PPE processes that Burnie will use in their attempt to remain outbreak free when they are back online.

"Thanks awesome Mersey staff!" (NOT said by the health minister).

Central to the struggles faced by MCH staff and the community depending upon them is uncertainty created by the lack of a firm commitment and timeline for the reopening of Mersey A&E.

Now that the NWPH and NWRH have been supported and are on the road to recovery the government need to get behind and support the Mersey to get their ED fully operational.

The health minister is brimming with timelines and updates around processes surrounding Burnie's hospitals but unwilling to commit to or even seriously comment on plans for Mersey's future.

All we have so far is a vague comment from the health minister yesterday:
"I want to be clear to that community that it is my expectation that the emergency department will reopen ... but I can't give a timeline on when that will be".

Is it going be 1 month? 3 months? 6 months? A year? Never?

Lets get specific health minister.

The Mersey and the vast community it cares for deserve an equal commitment to their future so lets give the same reassurances and support that you provide to the other 2 NW hospitals.

WE NEED A CLEAR TIMELINE AND SUPPORT FOR THE REOPENING OF MERSEY A&E AS HAS BEEN GIVEN FOR BURNIES HOSPITALS.

THE GOVERNMENT MUST CEASE THEIR HARMFUL AND EXPENSIVE PREFERENCE FOR LOCUM STAFF THAT HAS NOW DEPRIVED THE COMMUNITY OF AN EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT DURING THIS PANDEMIC.

DO NOT FORGET THAT THE HEALTH MINISTER HERSELF YESTERDAY CONFIRMED THAT THE ROOT CAUSE OF MERSEY'S A&E CLOSURE IS OVER-RELIANCE ON LOCUM STAFF. LETS HOLD THE GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS.

Remember:

If you aren't under a gag order make sure to jump on the press conference lives and add your voice to keep the spirit of the Mersey alive.

Stay safe and please keep sharing this petition far and wide.

Until the next update...

Tasmanian Citizen