Failure to upgrade air quality systems at Launceston General Hospital have the Tasmanian Government under fire.

Medical union ANMF are complaining that there is no sign of the promised work that was scheduled for April and is essential to provide better heating in winter and cooling in summer.

The Greens support the call, noting that winter usually places a greater strain on the hospital.

Read their statements below.

Media release – Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch, 23 May 2025

ANMF Slams Government for Broken Promises on LGH Upgrades

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch today expressed its extreme disappointment and frustration at the Tasmanian Government’s ongoing failure to follow through on its commitments – this time, regarding critical upgrades to the Launceston General Hospital air conditioning and heating systems.

ANMF Acting-Branch Secretary Phoebe Mansell said In February this year, the Minister for Health committed to upgrading the LGH air conditioning system following alarming reports from ANMF members of patient rooms reaching temperatures of up to 40 degrees during summer.

“The Minister also assured the ANMF that heating requirements would be considered as part of the upgrade,” Ms Mansell said.

“Work was scheduled to commence in April this year. It is now late May, and we are alarmed to report that no work has started.”

Ms Mansell said at a recent consultative meeting, the ANMF was advised that planning has only just commenced, specifically regarding how the building could be decanted to facilitate the upgrades.

“No clear timeline was provided, and no start date confirmed.

“We have grave concerns that the Government continues to overpromise and underdeliver.

“If the Government commits to a solution, it must be followed through with action—not empty words.”

“With patients now facing cold nights on those wards, and no meaningful progress made, it is likely they will also endure another summer of excessive heat as the Government drags its heels on resolving these critical issues.”

Ms Mansell said this is yet another example of the Tasmanian Government making promises to health workers and the community, only to break them when the spotlight fades.

“Nurses, midwives, and patients deserve better than to suffer through extreme temperatures with no resolution in sight.

“The Government’s repeated failure to deliver on its own commitments undermines trust and places further strain on already overworked staff in an overstretched health system.

“We will not accept vague excuses or indefinite delays.

“The Government must take urgent and transparent action to deliver on its promise, provide clear timeframes, and ensure frontline staff and patients are not left waiting another summer.”

The ANMF calls on the Minister to publicly clarify the status of the LGH air conditioning and heating upgrades and commit to a timeline that ensures this vital work is completed before next summer.

Media release – Cecily Rosol MP, Greens Health spokesperson, 23 May 2025

Government Must Act on LGH Aircon

The extreme summer heat has passed but the need for urgent action to address the air-conditioning situation on wards at Launceston General Hospital has not. The Liberal government should stop dragging its feet and get on with the job of tackling this major issue.

After a huge community outcry last summer, the Liberals promised they would act. Instead, we’re now hearing alarm from the ANMF that works have not started. In fact, there’s still not even a plan for how to manage beds while this project is undertaken.

Delays to commencing these works risks another hot summer without air-conditioning at LGH, and potentially increased discomfort for patients over winter too. Not only that, but failure to plan the project properly will place extra strain on hospital beds over a busy winter season when we know spikes in respiratory illnesses lead to greater strain on the hospital.

The Liberal Government promised staff and patients at Launceston General Hospital would not see another summer like they sweated through this year. The Tasmanian Greens call on the Rockliff Government to prioritise these works and to make sure air conditioning is installed at the LGH before next summer.

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