Tasmanian Trans Surgeries Won’t Cost Public Health System, Equality Tasmania Says

Equality Tasmania says privately funded gender-affirming surgeries planned for the Royal Hobart Hospital will not drain Tasmania’s public health budget or divert nurses from other patients.

The statement follows a report in The Australian alleging the arrangement would use resources needed to reduce public surgery waiting lists, while offering higher pay to nurses involved.

Equality Tasmania spokesperson Rodney Croome said the distinction between private treatment and its public hospital location was central.

“The pay difference for gender surgeries is because they are private surgeries, even though they will be performed in a public hospital.”

“The fact they’re private surgeries means the patient will pay and it won’t come out of the Tasmanian health budget.”

“Also, the gender surgeries will use otherwise empty theatres and the nurses won’t be taken from other work.”

“Our understanding from the Government is that the new arrangement will not cost the public health system anything.”

The dispute follows Calvary Health Care’s takeover of Hobart Private Hospital and concerns about continued access to procedures excluded under the Catholic provider’s policies.

ABC News reported in August that the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission approved the acquisition, despite concerns about gender-affirming care, fertility treatment and other services. Tasmania’s Health Department said it was arranging alternative providers to prevent gaps in care.

Hobart Private is co-located with the Royal Hobart Hospital. The acquisition raised concerns that transgender Tasmanians could face expensive interstate travel if local surgical access disappeared.

Croome accused Calvary of discrimination.

“This problem has arisen because Calvary Health Care, which has taken over Hobart Private, refuses to abide by the Anti-Discrimination Act and allow gender-related treatments for transgender people, even though it allows the same treatments for other people.”

“The Government is simply trying to find a solution to the problem Calvary’s discrimination has created.”

The concerns reflect issues Croome previously raised, which discussed barriers to trans healthcare and discrimination by faith-based services.

Equality Tasmania maintains that access through privately funded operations at the Royal should preserve treatment options without adding costs to the state health budget.