Winter Flu Plan 2018

Today I unveiled the Tasmanian Government’s Winter Plan 2018, our strategy to ensure Tasmania is better prepared than ever before for seasonal increased demands on our health services.
Additional hospital beds will come online this winter to better cope with the higher demand during the winter flu season. By the end of June, a further eight beds will be available for the Royal Hobart Hospital, and an additional 22 sub-acute beds will be available for patients at the Hobart Repatriation Hospital in July.
Eight overflow beds will be available at the Launceston General Hospital in ward 4D – five more than last winter, and patient flow will be further improved with a patient transit lounge becoming operational in June.
The North West Regional Hospital will have a new pre-admission clinic opening in July which will help patient flow and increase efficiency. Patient management will also improve with the Integrated Operations Centre coming online in May.
The plan will focus on protection, treatment and coordination – all designed to ensure Tasmanians are in the best position possible to avoid winter illnesses – particularly the flu – and get the healthcare they need should they fall ill.
Fundamental components of the Winter Plan include:
• A multifaceted vaccination strategy;
• Hospital bed management and staff management;
• Patient flow optimisation in hospitals; and
• Collaboration with key stakeholders and health staff.
The most important thing every single Tasmanian can do this year is to get a flu vaccine. Getting the vaccine is the best protection anyone can receive against the flu, and the Government will be encouraging Tasmanians to get the vaccine whenever we can.
The Tasmanian Health Service will also ensure appropriate and increased staffing for areas that experience additional demand during the winter period, as well as planning patient pathways and close coordination with Ambulance Tasmania and hospitals.
For the first time ever, a Winter Care List will identify patients more vulnerable to developing flu complications, such as those with respiratory disease. These patients will have care plans developed, and Ambulance Tasmania will continue to work with hospitals and the aged care sector to ensure they are adequately cared for.
Importantly, Public Heath Services has already been helping prepare the aged care sector with a workshop and advice around flu management plans.
Our focus is to protect, treat and coordinate, and Tasmanians need to do their bit this winter and make sure they get a flu vaccine.
I would like to thank the DHHS, THS, Ambulance Tasmania, Public Health Services and Primary Health Tasmania for their collaboration in putting the plan together.
Michael Ferguson, Minister for Health