Staff at the Launceston General Hospital deserve the confidence of their patients, according to a consumer advocacy group.
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Consumer and Community Engagement Council northern branch president Peter O’Sullivan said people should have confidence in the hospital’s services, despite recent criticisms.
“This time of year is always difficult for the emergency department,” he said.
“The reality is the hospital is always under pressure and it probably always will be.
“But from a consumers point of view, we know that staff are doing their best.”
On Thursday the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmania branch was expected to hold its 16th consecutive daily vigil outside the LGH emergency department.
Last month the union escalated its industrial action over concerns of in-patients capacity, ambulance ramping and emergency department overcrowding.
It followed a case involving an 11-year-old boy who waited more than 60 hours at the LGH emergency department, after presenting with acute mental ill-health.
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Last week ANMF representatives described the emergency department as a “crisis zone”, after three staff were assaulted and nine code blacks were called within 24 hours.
However, Mr O’Sullivan said the council were confident in the hospital’s ability to deliver quality services.
“From our point of view, people should have confidence in the services being carried out by the staff at the Launceston General Hospital emergency department,” he said.
“The reality is if people present to the ED in need of care, their needs will be tended to.
“Waiting times are always going to be a hot topic.
“But we also have confidence in the decision makers and the government, to address the issues.”
ANMF Tasmania branch secretary Emily Shepherd said the union’s industrial action at LGH would likely continue to escalate, until the demands of its members were recognised.