‘What if I was a Delta case?’: Patient at Royal Hobart Hospital criticises Covid safety procedures

A Hobart woman has slammed the Royal Hobart Hospital over their Covid protocols claiming she wasn’t isolated and left in a cubicle behind a curtain for four hours following a Covid test.

A HOBART woman has slammed what she says was lax Covid safety protocols at the Royal Hobart Hospital, following treatment at the emergency department.

Glenda Fahey, who was diagnosed with emphysema this month, was taken to the hospital via ambulance about 1am on Friday morning after reporting breathing difficulties.

The 70-year-old said while there, she was swabbed for Covid by a staff member who she said was wearing only a face mask and no other personal protective equipment.

Ms Fahey said she was not isolated, but instead left in a cubicle behind a curtain for almost four hours until she left the hospital about 5am.

“That is not isolation,’’ she said. “What if I was a Delta case?

“I should have been treated as if I was a positive case.

“If someone goes into the hospital, into emergency and had the Delta strain, it would be running rife in no time.”

Royal Hobart Hospital. A man recently passed away in the emergency department while waiting for medical assistance. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Ms Fahey, now in isolation at home awaiting her test result, has lodged a complaint with the hospital over her concerns.

Ms Fahey said her father had been infected with Covid-19 on the infamous Ruby Princess cruise ship and had spent 70 days in intensive care in Queensland, but survived the ordeal.

“Given my father contracted Covid and was in hospital for a very long time, I’m aware of procedures and the hospital did not follow procedures,’’ she said.

Glenda Fahey is in isolation, waiting for a Covid-19 test result. Picture: Mireille Merlet

“What’s the point of having all these people in quarantine hotels around Hobart when there’s a failure of practice in the hospital.”

A health department spokesman said they would not discuss details of individual cases.

“While we cannot discuss individual patient cases, we do make sure every patient’s health and safety is our number one priority,” the spokesman said.

“When patients present to the emergency department, their COVID risk is determined using an approved matrix and testing is conducted in line with best practice.

“The hospital has seen an increase in presentations to the emergency department over the past weeks, however at no time has this affected patient or staff safety.”

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