Labor’s submission to independent review brings health system to fore

Labor says a lack of PPE gear, inadequate staff training and an underprepared health system contributed to the North West COVID-19 outbreak.

• Police misconduct tribunal ‘desperately needed’ in Tasmania
• Palmer takes Rosevears in a photo finish
• Bold new saleyard plan for North-West Tassie
• COVID-19: Authorities ‘confident’ North West virus situation in hand

Labor has said a lack of PPE gear, inadequate staff training and an underprepared health system contributed to the North West COVID-19 outbreak.

State Labor Health spokeswoman Sarah Lovell has highlighted the need for public servant protections in her party’s submission to the Independent Review of the Response to the North-West Tasmania COVID-19 Outbreak.

“In the absence of explicit protections, it is likely that health workers will not participate in the inquiry or, if they do, their submissions may not be as detailed and important learnings may be lost,” Ms Lovell said.

Shadow Health Minister Sarah Lovell addresses the media on developments regarding coronavirus. Picture: Zak Simmonds

She said broadening the scope of inquiry beyond the North West coast could also illuminate evidence from other health facilities statewide.

Ms Lovell said in her submission the North West health system failed to provide appropriate personal protective equipment supplies and training and did not enforce requirements of hygiene, social distancing or staying home from work when sick.

She said Labor has called for a Royal Commission into the deadly cluster and a specific support package for the North West.

“No stone should be left unturned to ensure that answers are provided to families affected by the outbreak, and lessons are learned to ensure the state is better prepared if another outbreak occurs,” she said.

The North West Regional Hospital is seen closed in Burnie, Tasmania, Tuesday, April 14, 2020. Health workers in northwest Tasmania, where a coronavirus outbreak has shut two hospitals, attended an "illegal" dinner party together, Australia's Chief Medical Officer Brendan Murphy has revealed. (AAP Image/Simon Sturzaker) NO ARCHIVING

Independent reviewer Greg Melick AO SC accepted inquiry submissions up until 5pm yesterday (Friday).

An interim report from April identified the Ruby Princess cruise ship as a primary cause of the North West cluster.

It revealed health staff had worked and interacted despite showing symptoms.

The report found 77 per cent of the 73 staff who tested positive for COVID-19 attended work while ill, with some staff transferred between hospitals.

Thirteen Tasmanians have died from coronavirus.