… additional hospital beds in southern Tasmania
Following the State Government’s announcement yesterday of 27 extra beds in southern Tasmania, AMA Tasmania President Dr Stuart Day has said AMA Tasmania will continue to work with the Health Minister to ensure the best use of these additional beds to deliver improve patient care.
“After much consultation with government representatives and lobbying on the part of AMA Tasmania, we note Minister Ferguson’s announcement of desperately needed additional beds at the Royal Hobart Hospital, as well as those at Hobart Private Hospital, New Norfolk District Hospital, and Roy Fagan Centre,” said Dr Day.
“These beds are the beginning of a process to address the longstanding difficulties with patient flow at the Royal Hobart Hospital which continues to impact waiting times in the emergency department,” Dr Day said.
“The overwhelming evidence shows that decreasing the time spent in the emergency department awaiting a hospital bed improves patient’s recovery and outcomes.”
Dr Day also praised the hard work and patience of medical staff at the RHH during redevelopment.
“Despite the obvious logistical issues with the major building project currently underway, the medical staff at the Royal Hobart Hospital continuing to strive to deliver the highest quality care to all patients,” said Dr Day.
MA Tasmania President Dr Stuart Day
