Media release – Professor Tony Lawler, Acting State Health Commander, 8 July 2022
Launceston General Hospital escalation
Launceston General Hospital will escalate to level 3 of its COVID-19 Management Escalation Plan from 5pm today, 8 July.
This follows a recommendation from the acting Regional Health Commander Dr Alasdair MacDonald and the Regional Health Management Team and is based on the level of COVID-positive inpatients, the impact of COVID-19 outbreaks, general hospital demand and increasing level of staff absences impacting general operations.
Two medical wards remain closed while COVID-19 outbreaks are managed.
The escalation applies only to the LGH and does not apply to District Hospitals, Community Health Services or Mental Health Services in the northern region.
Current visitor restrictions will continue in place, with one visitor allowed per patient for 30 minutes unless an exemption is provided by the nurse-in-charge.
Planned elective services will be reviewed. Outpatient clinics remain unchanged, however they will also be monitored and reviewed as required.
If people have conditions that are not an emergency or do not require a hospital admission, they are encouraged to think about the right service for their needs and to reconsider attending the LGH Emergency Department during this time.
During this time, we ask the communities of northern Tasmania for their patience and understanding should they experience longer waiting times for lower acuity presentations.
Hospital staff are working hard to address the demand for hospital care at the LGH, and the public can have confidence that the needs of emergency presentations will be met.
If you require medical assistance that is not urgent or life-threatening, visit your pharmacy for minor ailments, explore booking an appointment with a local GP, or call Health Direct on 1800 022 222 for free, trusted health information.
Health Direct is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Some GPs and pharmacies are also available after-hours.
People can support frontline hospital services this winter by rolling up their sleeves and getting vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19 to protect themselves against these respiratory viruses. Both vaccines are currently free at GPs, pharmacies and state-run vaccination clinics for all Tasmanians.
Please also continue to practise the COVID-safe behaviours. Practise good hand hygiene, follow social distancing, test when you have symptoms, stay home when you are unwell, and wear masks when required to do so.
If you require emergency medical assistance, call 000 immediately.
Rebecca White MP, Tasmanian Labor Leader, 8 July 2022
Long ailing system at point of collapse
COVID outbreaks at two of our northern hospitals are putting even more pressure on the already overstretched hospital and staff.
COVID planning and preparation by the Rockliff-Ferguson Government has again been exposed as completely inadequate with the crisis at the Launceston General Hospital and the North West Regional continuing to worsen.
The Rockliff-Ferguson Government is scrambling to respond as COVID and flu cases escalate, with health services struggling to operate and vital procedures like elective surgery now being reduced.
The flow on effect from this will mean that more people will be languishing on the elective surgery wait list for longer.
Tasmanians have also been told to avoid presenting to the emergency department at the North West Regional Hospital to ease the stress currently on the system.
With staff being instructed not to use terms such as ‘outbreak’, and wards struggling to cope, serious concerns about health worker morale continues to grow.
Our health workforce has long been raising issues about staff shortages and burnout but this Government have clearly failed to listen and put a plan in place.
Media release – Bridget Archer MP, Federal Member for Bass, 8 July 2022
Call for COVID-19 payments to be reinstated
Federal Member for Bass Bridget Archer has called on the Federal Government to reinstate support payments for individuals who are unable to work due to COVID-19.
“As we face the reality of a third Omicron wave sweeping the country in the coming weeks we know more and more people in our community, including here in northern Tasmania, will suffer from a loss of income because they or someone they care for will be required to isolate due to testing positive to COVID-19,” Mrs Archer said.
“I have long advocated for all Governments to be flexible in their response as the pandemic continues to evolve and I call on the Federal Labor Government to reinstate COVID-19 support payments as a matter of urgency.”
“With a surge in cases, a loss of income at a time when cost of living expenses is rising drastically will put unbearable and unnecessary financial pressure on many in our community.”
