STATE budget cuts have forced the Launceston General Hospital to abandon plans for its new acute medical unit, causing alarm among emergency department staff who fear there will be no room for overflow.
The unit is part of the hospital's $105 million federally funded redevelopment, with extra short-stay beds and a four-bed high dependency unit due to open alongside the revamped
emergency department.
Staff have now been told it will become an ``inpatient taking area'' from January 2, following the closure of medical ward 4D.
Northern Area Health Service chief executive John Kirwan said the unit would be used to assess, treat, discharge or transfer patients to other parts of the hospital.
``The decision to delay implementation of the AMU and its associated models of care is a budget one,'' he said.
The saving is around $3 million, and Mr Kirwan said the decision would be reviewed once next year's budget is known.
Permanent 4D staff are expected to transfer to the area while those on contracts await the release of rosters today to find out if they have a job next year.
Less acute emergency patients were expected to be treated in the new unit, and nurses fear there will now be no relief from an increase in patients.
Australian Nursing Federation state secretary Neroli Ellis said the decision to close 4D had backfired.
``It is absolutely clinically impossible to close a whole medical ward so they are just shuffling the deckchairs on the Titanic,'' she said.
Click here to read for story on the Hospital in the Homes program being axed
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