Royal Hobart Hospital exceeding capacity

Health Minister Michael Ferguson announced on Thursday evening that the RHH was “exceeding capacity” in emergency and admissions following a busy January. 

“The Tasmanian Health Service will continue to  provide prioritised care … the people who require it will receive it always,” Mr Ferguson on Friday said. 

He said the government recognised that patients at “slightly lower priority levels” were waiting “too long”. 

“We are seeing increased demand and there’s a change in demographics as well which contributes to that.” 

Mr Ferguson said there was “increased demand” across the health service, but the RHH particularly required extra support. 

The RHH is undergoing an extensive redevelopment, and health unions and the hospital’s staff association have repeatedly raised concerns about resources at the hospital. 

“The government is redeveloping the Royal so we can provide extra capacity,” Mr Ferguson said. 

Mr Ferguson said the government was working with the THS on a “significant package of additional support” for the hospital which would be announced in coming weeks.

Labor health spokeswoman Rebecca White said the situation at the RHH, which saw patients interviewed in waiting areas, was “unacceptable”. She said the hospital was “in crisis”. 

Greens health spokeswoman Rosalie Woodruff said the RHH needed long-term, proper bed capacity now, to avoid a “winter health disaster” for Tasmanians. 

Funding uncertainty around Tasmania’s dedicated elective surgery centre, the Mersey Community Hospital in the North-West, continues. 

Mr Ferguson said he would meet with federal Health Minister Greg Hunt in coming days, with the state government having asked for a 10-year funding commitment.

Federal government funding for the Mersey runs out at the end of June this year.