All North-West outbreak report recommendations acted on

A series of recommendations made by state health officials after the COVID-19 cluster at the North West Regional Hospital have been actioned or are underway. Read more about the changes.

ALL the recommendations made in a report on a deadly coronavirus outbreak at a hospital in Tasmania’s North-West are now being acted upon, Health Minister Sarah Courtney says.

The interim report by state health officials into the COVID-19 cluster at the North West Regional Hospital in Burnie made 17 recommendations.

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The North West Regional Hospital. Picture: AAP IMAGE/SIMON STURZAKER

Ms Courtney said recent outcomes included the appointment of an infectious disease physician and the rollout of an online training platform for staff, including videos about personal protective equipment and infection control precautions.

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A formal outbreak management plan is also being finalised, including protocols for locking down movement between facilities and promoting better social distancing for ward rounds.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Ms Courtney said one recommendation had been completed and the remaining 16 were underway, with 11 expected to be completed by June.

“It’s important that we do have learnings from what happened in the North-West and that we implement those across our health system to keep our staff, our patients and our community safe,’’ she said.

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The interim report into the outbreak at the NWRH was released on April 30.

It found the Ruby Princess was likely “ground zero” for the outbreak, with the virus spreading from infected returned passengers to staff at the hospital, some of whom continued to work while infectious.

Premier Peter Gutwein has announced an independent review into the outbreak, but there is no date yet for when this will start.