The implementation of the 60-minute transfer of care protocols across the Tasmanian health system is already showing positive results with the overwhelming majority of ambulance transfers to hospitals occurring within 60-minutes.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Guy Barnett, said that the Tasmanian Government is committed to ending ramping in Tasmania.
“We are seeing positive results across the State as we implement this new protocol, with hospitals in the North and North West both performing particularly well and on target,” Minister Barnett said.
“In the South, despite experiencing significant pressures at the Royal, the protocol has improved the capacity in our health system.
“We have been working closely with our healthcare workers, Ambulance Tasmania, the unions and our departments to ensure that the implementation of this protocol is done in a considered, strategic way, and does not compromise the healthcare of Tasmanians.
“I want to thank our dedicated healthcare staff who are making this possible and I am grateful for the contributions of all stakeholders.
“We are taking a measured approach to the continued roll-out of this protocol as we continue on our way to the national best-practice benchmark of 30-minutes.”
State Secretary of the Health and Community Services Union (HACSU) Robbie Moore said much work still needs to be done to address the high demand we are seeing across our health system.
“The new Transfer of Care procedures (Ambulance Offload) have resulted in significant improvements moving patients off the Ambulance Ramp and through the Emergency Department,” he said.
“‘What has been particularly pleasing is that whilst there has been significant demand over the past week, both hospital and ambulance staff have worked extremely well together to address the challenging circumstances.”
Average offload duration over the last week:
- Royal Hobart Hospital – 54.2 minutes;
- Launceston General Hospital – 39.7 minutes;
- Mersey Community Hospital – 26.3 minutes; and
- North West Regional Hospital – 27.3 minutes.
