Tasmanian Labor has called for a crisis meeting between the Health Minister and staff at the Launceston General Hospital.
Shadow Health Minister Sarah Lovell said it was high time Sarah Courtney stepped up and finally began addressing the serious issues plaguing the hospital.
“Today we have further proof if any was needed of how the Liberals have trashed the state’s health system,” Ms Lovell said.
“Despite years of repeated calls for more Emergency Department nursing staff at the LGH, pleas from Nurses and Midwifery Federation members have gone unanswered.
“Nurses have now backed in the action by clinicians at the LGH by lodging a workplace grievance, highlighting concerns about the safety of both staff and patients.
“Like the nurses who’ve been campaigning on this since March 2018, we agree it’s totally unacceptable that the Government has not fixed the fundamental issue of bed block at LGH.
“No additional resources were allocated to LGH to respond to the increased patient load when opening hours were cut at the Mersey ED.
“Minister Courtney has to meet with nurses and hospital workers and pay attention to their concerns.
“Patient safety is being compromised and this cannot be allowed to go on.”
Sarah Lovell MLC
Shadow Minister for Health
