INFORMATION RECEIVED BY HACSU REVEALS A CRISIS IN THE LENGTH OF WAITING LISTS FOR SPECIALIST CLINICS AT LAUNCESTON GENERAL HOSPITAL
The Launceston General Hospital (LGH) is the 300-bed public hospital that provides acute care facilities for residents of Launceston and the northern region of Tasmania. Every year the hospital treats over 24,000 inpatients and over 225,000 outpatients.
Information received by HACSU reveals that the waiting lists for people wanting to access specialist clinics are at dangerous levels.
“We have reliable information that shows that over 6,400 people are waiting to see medical specialists through the Launceston General Hospital”, said Robbie Moore, HACSU Assistant State Secretary.
“The numbers are particularly shocking, because apparently staff are unable to keep up with the influx of new referrals who need to be added onto the waiting list.
“Apparently there are hundreds more people to be added these lists.
Launceston General Hospital Waiting Lists for Specialist Clinics:
Neurology 1393
General Surgery 1224
Gastroenterology 947
Cardiology 881
Respiratory 617
Urology 484
Colorectal 231
Eyes, Nose, Throat 214
Medical 167
Endocrine 93
Vascular 81
Renal 68
“Although most of these people are Category 2 and 3, even those who are Category 1 – the highest level of urgency – can in many instances expect to wait 6 weeks before they can see a specialist. “While people are waiting, anything can happen, and in many instances conditions will worsen. This ends up costing the individual and the health system more.
“The state government has recently announced money to address surgical waiting lists – but most of these people have not even made it as far as being assessed as needing surgery.
“Our health system is undoubtedly in crisis, and we call upon the government to stop these cuts to essential public services.
