NWRH Escalation

Media release – Kathrine Morgan-Wicks, State Health Commander, 14 January 2021

Managing COVID-19 impacts at the NWRH

The North West Regional Hospital is reviewing some of its services due to impacts on staffing from COVID-19.

By moving to a level three of the hospital’s COVID-19 plan, this will ensure continuity of inpatient and emergency medical care.

More than 90 staff are currently unable to work due to community acquired COVID-19 infection or being identified as close contacts. No transmission of COVID-19 has been reported in the NWRH. Coupled with the effect of leave during the traditional holiday period, this is placing pressure on the hospital’s available staffing.

The NWRH will ensure business continuity can be maintained. For this to occur, some areas will be reviewed. Staff are being advised of the escalation plans through local communication from the Regional Health Commander.

Outpatient and elective surgery activity will be reduced, with outpatient services for urgent and category one patients to be moved to telehealth over the coming days.

The hospital is implementing strategies to increase workforce capacity, including staff being asked to reconsider leave arrangements if possible.

These measures are being implemented at the NWRH site only. Other NW health sites remain as business as usual.

While the NWRH is maintaining restrictions on unvaccinated visitors, there are no further formal visitor restrictions at this time. However, as always, people should only visit the hospital if necessary.

A staff testing clinic has already been established, and this will continue. Testing of patients admitted overnight to the NWRH is also occurring.

While we understand these changes can cause concern amongst staff and the community, we are taking steps to responsibly manage the impact of COVID-19 on staffing levels to ensure core functions are continuing, including the provision of emergency medical care.

These measures have been introduced as part of our preparations for a likely increase in COVID-19 cases in the community.

As State Health Commander, I would like to acknowledge the efforts and dedication of all our hardworking Tasmanian Health Service staff. I am confident that as a workforce, it will again meet the challenges that this pandemic presents and continue to offer the very best in health care to all Tasmanians.