Concerns around the cleanliness of Royal Hobart Hospital’s Liverpool Street entrance

The state of the entrances at Hobart’s public hospital has drawn the ire of visitors and patients, with one saying “it’s one of the worst entrances to a hospital I think I have ever seen”.

Some of the rubbish outside the Royal Hobart Hospital's Liverpool Street entrance. Picture: Simon McGuire.

Cigarette butts, empty cans of alcohol and used nappies are just some of the things members of the public say they have encountered at the entrances to the Royal Hobart Hospital.

And while all the entrances at the RHH have been noted as dirty, the main Liverpool Street has been singled out.

Some of the rubbish outside the Royal Hobart Hospital's Liverpool Street entrance. Picture: Simon McGuire.

One person, who wished to remain anonymous, said the construction of the new building near that entrance was part of the rubbish problem.

“One of the major issues is the temporary building. When is that going? Because that makes it very dingy, dark and depressing.

“It’s been used as a toilet; it’s been used by homeless people.

“Smoking outside the hospital is an enormous thing. You’ve got staff, you’ve got patients, there dropping their cigarette butts.”

Some of the rubbish outside the Royal Hobart Hospital's Liverpool Street entrance. Picture: Simon McGuire.

The person said the entrance was not cleaned up to scratch.

“I would still say there’s quite a bit of rubbish lying about every single day.”

Stains were also being ignored for months on end.

The person believed that there should not be smoking in front of the hospital.

“I travel a lot, and it’s one of the worst entrances to a hospital I think I have ever seen. It’s awful.”

Some of the rubbish outside the Royal Hobart Hospital's Liverpool Street entrance. Picture: Simon McGuire.

A Department of Health spokesperson said it was committed to keeping the entrances at the RHH clean.

“The RHH acknowledges concerns raised by staff relating to cleanliness around the hospital’s Liverpool St entrance.

“Presenting the hospital as a professional and welcoming environment for all patients, visitors, and staff is a high priority for the RHH.

“Part of the land surrounding the Liverpool St entrance is the responsibility of the Hobart City Council, and we work with them to ensure the cleanliness of areas surrounding the hospital.

“The RHH has also initiated additional cleaning and maintenance processes relating to the Liverpool St entrance and has purchased additional equipment to support this, including equipment to clean the footpath.”

Originally published as Concerns around the cleanliness of Royal Hobart Hospital’s Liverpool Street entrance