Tasmanian Health Minister Bridget Archer has faced intense criticism in state parliament following an exclusive 7NEWS investigation that exposed a troubling practice: patients experiencing medical emergencies were being dispatched taxis instead of ambulances when they dialled Triple-0 for assistance.
Shocking Data Revealed
New data obtained under a right-to-information request reveals that 165 patients were transported by taxi between January 1 and March 6 this year. Alarmingly, 84 per cent of these cases were classified as urgent, raising serious questions about the adequacy of emergency response in the state.
The damning figures ignited a heated debate in parliament, with the Opposition and the Greens demanding answers from the Minister. Bass MP Jess Greene directly challenged Archer, asking whether it was appropriate for people seeking emergency care to be sent a taxi.
“Do you think it’s acceptable Tasmanians who call Triple-0 in need of urgent medical attention are being sent a taxi instead?” Greene asked.
Minister Defends Practice
Archer defended the process, emphasising that decisions are made by qualified professionals and that such instances account for only 1 per cent of all calls. “These are decisions that are made by trained, experienced, specialised clinicians and... that moment in time can be regularly assessed,” she stated.
Some taxis are being sent instead of ambulances in Tasmania, a practice that has drawn widespread concern. The data was obtained under a right-to-information request, highlighting the transparency of the issue.
Personal Story Highlights Crisis
The political fallout follows an earlier 7NEWS exclusive report that uncovered the story of 20-year-old Hobart woman Mia Goody, who was sent a taxi after suffering a first-time seizure. Newly obtained emergency service call logs reveal the seriousness of her condition and the distressing wait for help.
In the call, her partner confirmed Goody was unconscious. “She’s shaking, she’s making some very raspy sounds with her throat… she’s not responsive,” he said. He later sought confirmation help was on the way: “How long until some help arrives of some kind?” he asked.
The Ambulance Tasmania operator responded: “We’re very busy… I don’t have an available ambulance… we’re trying to get someone there.” The logs also show Goody waited two hours for assistance, further raising concerns about the availability of emergency resources in the state.
Political and Public Reaction
The revelations have intensified scrutiny of Tasmania’s ambulance system, with both Labor and the Greens calling for an audit into the practice. In a statement to 7NEWS, a spokesperson for the Department of Health said taxis are only considered “if clinically safe and appropriate to do so.”
The Health Department maintains that the option is only considered when it is clinically safe. However, the incident involving Mia Goody and the broader data have prompted widespread outrage and demands for reform.
