State Government says personal protective equipment is being stolen from state’s hospitals

Health Minister Sarah Courtney says reports of essential personal protective equipment being stolen from Tasmanian hospitals are being looked into.

PERSONAL protective equipment essential to shield health workers from coronavirus is being stolen from Tasmanian hospitals, the State Government says.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney said the reports were being looked into as authorities work to ensure there is enough PPE to protect medical professionals.

Health Minister Sarah Courtney. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

It is understood a quantity of the equipment has been taken from the Royal Hobart Hospital, with possible thefts from health facilities in other parts of the state also being investigated.

“This is absolutely unacceptable,’’ Ms Courtney said.

“Our healthcare workers are working on the front line to support Tasmanians and if we hear, or find any cases of these, we will ensure that the full force of the law is brought upon those people.

“I’ve asked the secretary of the Department of Health to ensure any further appropriate measures are instigated at our hospitals and I have spoken to the Police Commissioner [Darren Hine] about this to ensure that any reported cases are fully investigated.

“I cannot be more clear, PPE is there to help support the people that are there to save our lives.

“So in terms of that behaviour, I would absolutely discourage it and if anybody within our healthcare system or outside the healthcare system has reports, I would ask for those to be escalated to your manager or through police so they can be fully escalated.”

Commissioner Hine, who is the state controller under a State of Emergency declaration announced by the Government last week, said police would investigate the thefts.

Police Commissioner Darren Hine. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“This is serious times. These are valuable resources,’’ he said.

“We do not want to have to divert our resources to investigate these thefts but if they are reported to us, of course we will investigate the thefts.

“This is absolutely the last time that anyone should be actually stealing this valuable resource so I cannot understand why people would actually do that.

“Let’s just use those resources to assist our health care workers, again, to be able to help you.”