At least four young people have been recently admitted to the Launceston General Hospital in need of support and accommodation, but not in need of an acute medical bed, the Health and Community Services Union says.
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A state government spokesperson said while it was not appropriate to discuss patient details, the government recognised adjustments had to be made for some people who require care.
“None of these cases involved crisis accommodation,” the spokesperson said.
HACSU assistant state secretary Robbie Moore said union members at the LGH had confirmed the admissions, saying the LGH was “not an appropriate setting for these young people who needed community based accommodation and support”.
A Tasmanian Health System spokesman said “a doctor has to be satisfied a person needs to be in hospital for admission to occur”.
The Legislative Council subcommittee inquiry into Tasmania’s acute health system heard evidence from LGH nursing director for women and children services Janette Tonks on Tuesday that three young people in crisis, but without medical problems, had been admitted to the LGH over the past six months.
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“The Health Minister and the Human Services Minister, who have been aware of this for far too long, need to urgently put in place adequate crisis accommodation,” Mr Moore said.
Health Minister Michael Ferguson told the inquiry he was aware of complex family situations surrounding the admissions, and he would work with Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma to find solutions for the future.
Chair of the Legislative Council subcommittee, Rob Valentine MLC, said on Thursday the inquiry had to take information presented to them under parliamentary privilege as true.
Mr Valentine said should the state government wish to provide further information about the situation regarding adolescents at the LGH, the subcommittee would be willing to accept it.
Greens Leader Cassy O’Connor said Tasmania had a “chronic shortage” of accommodation and support for young people in crisis, and that Ms Petrusma should be “honest” about the situation.
“There is a housing and support service shortage for at-risk adolescents,” Ms O’Connor said.
“Every Tasmanian expert in the field acknowledges this, and the Minister should as well.”
