SURGEONS at the Launceston General Hospital have been asked to go on leave as part of the Tasmanian Health Service’s strategy to deal with demand coming through the emergency department.
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THS chief executive David Alcorn said the initiative would free up what were usually surgical beds for patients seeking treatment for seasonal illness. The request will only apply to staff with excess leave.
“This will not impact on elective surgery targets, which have already been met, as this is simply about the timing of when leave is taken,” Dr Alcorn said.
Australian Medical Association state president Tim Greenaway said the beds were usually quarantined for surgical patients and questioned the impact lifting that quarantine would have on people waiting for elective surgery.
“The LGH has increased capacity but they’re not keeping some of those beds for surgical patients,” he said.
Opposition health spokeswoman Rebecca White said long-term solutions were required.
“Our concern is the minister still hasn’t come up with a permanent solution to the bed block issues at the LGH,” she said.
“Both the nursing staff and doctors have been telling the minister there are not enough beds.”
The government will also open 12 beds on Ward 4D after nine out of 11 emergency department consultants announced they would resign, retire or reduce their hours because of a lack of resources and pay issues. It is understood some doctors have since changed their mind.