ER crisis sparks ‘ ambo gridlock’

AMBULANCES carrying patients continue to queue outside Tasmanian emergency departments as the state’s major hospitals struggle to cope with demand.

The Health and Community Services Union has been routinely releasing images of ramped ambulances at the Royal Hobart and Launceston General hospitals, arguing the state is being robbed of emergency medical response capability because hospitals are short of beds.

In the latest incidents on Monday night, the union said there were 10 ambulances ramped in Hobart and five in Launceston.

HACSU state secretary Tim Jacobson said ambulance ramping was again happening “very regularly” at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

“The Royal Hobart Hospital issue was compounded by the fact that they had a significant staffing problem as well,” Mr Jacobson said.

“They closed some of their cubicles because of staffing and at one stage I understand there were 10 ambulances ramped and there were six Category 2 patients waiting to be seen.

“Despite the fact that the government suggested the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment would have an impact on ramping, let’s be clear — it hasn’t, and it won’t ( because) they have not invested in the beds.”

A Health Department spokesman said there were a range of strategies and protocols in place to manage any escalation, such as the surge in demand that occurred on Monday night.

“These include the ca

pacity to deploy additional resources as required. As with all emergency departments, patients are triaged. That means patients in the most critical need of care are prioritised. In all situations, normal triage protocols apply,” the spokesman said.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney said work was ongoing to address longstanding patient flow and demand challenges at the Royal Hobart Hospital.

“I’d like to thank our hardworking staff for their dedication and care for Tasmanians following a year that threw up a number of unique challenges for our health system,” Ms Courtney said.

“The government and the Department of Health are committed to meeting demand in our hospitals, with $ 50.2 million committed over

the next two years to support our major hospitals.

“This is part of our record $ 9.8bn investment into our health system over the next four years to meet the increasing demand.

“More than 50 beds have been funded and opened at the Royal, along with the recruitment of more than 1500 FTE additional staff into our health system since 2014.”

Labor health spokeswoman Sarah Lovell said health and ambulance services were stretched to capacity.

“Even before the COVID pandemic we had a health system that was at capacity and a public health workforce pushed to the brink,’’ she said.

“That hasn’t changed, just as the government’s refusal to provide adequate resources for our health and hospital system has not changed.”