Opposition’s swipe over man’s death in emergency department ‘insensitive’, says Health Minister Michael Ferguson

Health Minister Michael Ferguson has accused Labor of using a tragic hospital waiting room death to score political points.

STATE Health Minister Michael Ferguson has accused Labor of using a tragic hospital waiting room death to score political points.

He said Labor was playing insensitive politics with the tragic death of an elderly Tasmanian, after Opposition health spokeswoman Sarah Lovell said the death in a waiting room chair at the Royal Hobart Hospital was another sign the system was under too much pressure.

MAN DIES IN CHAIR AT RHH EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT

“Labor knows that the Government cannot discuss the individual care details of any patient, especially given the events are subject to both internal and coroner investigations,” he said.

“I applaud the staff working so hard during such a busy time. We are supporting them with more staff and all available beds open.”

The man had been waiting in the emergency department for seven hours before he died.

The Royal Hobart Hospital Emergency Department. Government ministers met at the Royal Hobart Hospital to discuss details of a support package the hospital. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

The cause of death is yet to be determined.

Ms Lovell said the case was “deeply concerning” and showed that “every week at the Royal Hobart Hospital is now a horror week”.

“Ambulances are stuck for hours on end unable to hand their patients over to the Emergency Department and people like this poor man are waiting in that department for hours on end,” she said.

The health of nurses and other workers was also being affected by the “unsustainable” situation.

“The State Budget is coming up and I am calling on Health Minister Michael Ferguson to properly fund healthcare, to fill the $100 million black hole, so it can meet demand,” Ms Lovell said.

The Government revised down its forecast surplus from $161.9 million to $7.3 million in January to provide more funding to the health system but a Legislative Council inquiry found the Government had repeatedly underestimated the funding required.