Minister ignored emergency department staff for months and months
Senior staff warning of “extraordinarily unsafe” environment at the RHH
Staff under unreasonable amounts of pressure
Today in Parliament the Minister for Health admitted that just two weeks ago he finally met with staff in the emergency department to consider how the Government could assist ease the pressure they are working in.
“This is a shocking admission by the Minister that he has failed to take their concerns seriously since they began raising them in 2016,” Labor Leader Rebecca White said.
“It also explains why the Liberals stashed money away at the last minute in Finance-General rather than allocating it in the Health budget.
“Increased funding for health was an afterthought.
“The fact is that staff are under unreasonable pressure right now and are trying daily to manage a system in crisis.
“Senior staff in the Emergency Department on Monday called for a Code Yellow escalation on three occasions but were ignored.
“Senior staff are saying that the situation is “extraordinarily unsafe”.
“It’s indicative of the crisis engulfing our emergency departments that on Monday night, senior frontline clinicians told the Tasmanian Health Service they desperately needed help because 54 patients were in the Royal Hobart Hospital ED, with 24 patients referred for admission but unable to access beds.
“Staff actually told the THS in writing:
“It is unclear … exactly how bad the situation in the ED would need to be to actually allow a Code Yellow or Brown to be called.”
“That is a dangerous situation and because the Health Minister is refusing to act, it is now time for the Premier to step in and take urgent action,” Ms White said.
Rebecca White MP Labor Leader
