High COVID cases in the North of Tasmania are placing pressure on the Launceston General Hospital and its staff ahead of the Easter long weekend.
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Following a rise in Tasmanian COVID-19 cases - the highest the state has seen at any point in the pandemic - staff at the LGH have raised concerns about the hospital's ability to manage patients.
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Case numbers driven by the highly transmissible BA.2 variant have seen a second COVID ward - ward 3R- opened at the LGH alongside the acute medical ward for only the second time, while COVID-positive and furloughed staff sit just below 100 - placing a strain on the remaining staff.
One nurse at the LGH said with beds in short supply and staff already under pressure, they expected presentations at the emergency department would see delays and staff stretched.
Launceston GP Dr Toby Gardner runs the Newstead Urgent Care Centre in Launceston and said a rise in patients over the weekend was expected.
"Absolutely expect a rise in ED presentations due to a lack of after-hours services," he said.
The Newstead centre, which can see over 35 patients on a weekend, will also be closed with Dr Gardner saying state funding for the centre did not include public holidays, while staff shortages also made it difficult to remain open.
"We're actually going to be closed and we would not have enough staff available regardless at this stage to operate safely," he said.
Dr Gardner said the time off would also allow the few doctors and nurses who provide the after-hours care with a brief break to recuperate.
State Health Commander Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said the LGH continued to operate at COVID-19 escalation level three, citing high COVID-positive inpatient cases and COVID-related staff absences, but praised staff for their commitment.
"Staff are doing a fantastic job in continuing to provide the highest standards of patient care, and pleasingly with the levels of community transmission starting to stabilise more staff are returning to work every day," she said.
She said COVID cases fluctuate day by day with the LGH responding to demand as necessary, while hospital services would be reviewed based on clinical needs.
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