The Royal Hobart Hospital emergency department will receive five new full-time equivalent senior and 10 resident doctors, as part of $5 million in funding.
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Health Minister Michael Ferguson made the announcement on Friday, saying the immediate boost would allow for the recruitment of new staff in the face of growing demand.
“The ED has experienced sustained growth in demand, with a 21 per cent rise in admissions over the past three years,” he said.
“Importantly, the patients are sicker, with more complex needs requiring longer periods of care. In the face of this, we must do more to support our staff.”
Support provided by the funding is expected to include five new full time equivalent senior emergency department doctors, 10 new FTE resident ED doctors, additional nursing positions allied health and additional ancillary support staff.
The move has been welcomed by the Australian Medical Association.
Tasmania branch president Dr John Davis said any new positions needed to be not only expedited, but also ongoing.
“This funding goes to better support our dedicated staff who are working in the face of growing demand, it can't stop here,” he said.
“We must remain vigilant and continue to do more to support our staff.”
This funding builds on the $1.5 million announced by the state government in August, to relieve pressures at both the RHH and Launceston General Hospital emergency departments.
Mr Ferguson said that funding had been split evenly between both hospitals, contributing to additional nurses, extended pathology and greater bed cleaning capacity.
“The government has acknowledged increased demand at the LGH and is taking action to resolve pressures,” he said.
“We will always listen and consider further ways to provide more support our patients and hardworking staff – just as our record shows.”
Mr Ferguson said the government had already employed more staff for the LGH, with 180 more FTE nurses working in the North than in March 2014, as well as the recruitment of two full time neurologists and endocrinologists.
New permanent child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Lee-Archer is also expected to commence next month.
In Hobart, Mr Ferguson said the RHH executive would have autonomy and authority to allocate the new funding, in consultation with the senior leadership of the emergency department.
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