Royal Hobart Hospital: New beds coming ‘soon’ Premier Will Hodgman promises

Premier Will Hodgman says the Government will work to fill 270 empty bed spaces at the Royal Hobart Hospital ‘as soon as possible”.

HUNDREDS of empty “bed spaces” at the Royal Hobart Hospital would be filled “as soon as possible,” Premier Will Hodgman says.

Documents obtained by the Mercury reveal when the new K-Block opens, the hospital will remain with a third of its potential bed capacity vacant.

The number of beds at the Royal will increase from 383 at present to 427 once the redevelopment is complete but there will be about 270 empty “bed spaces”.

SHOCKING NUMBER OF PATIENTS WAITING FOR MORE THAN A DAY

Mr Hodgman said the Government would increase bed numbers “as soon as possible.

“It needs to be done as part of the commissioning process in accordance with not only with clinical direction, but also to ensure safety for patients and those who work within the hospital.

NEW RHH TO DELIVER EMPTY BED SPACES
He said the suggestion that K-Block would have large numbers of empty spaces was incorrect.

“I’m advised that 88 per cent of the new K Block on its conditioning will be filled.

Premier Will Hodgman during parliament Question Time. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

“We are increasing capacity we are managing working the hospital,” he said

“We are going to need more bit capacity into the future and we are delivering on that.

‘THE BANDAIDS AREN’T WORKING’

“So, any suggestion that this government won’t deliver — not only on our commitment: those additional 250 beds over the six years that we’ve promised, with 44 coming online and the commissioning of K Block with that capacity to expand — is not correct.

In state parliament this morning, Health Minister Sarah Courtney repeated her pledge that the opening of the new K-Block was “imminent”.

Mr Hodgman acknowledged that the 44 extra beds at the RHH would not on their own solve the health crisis.

“No one would suggest that is so,” he said.

“It’s the first step in increasing capacity at the Royal – a long term plan which we are expediting, and that not only includes what we can do at that site but indeed others to ensure we have the capacity that the increased demand on our health system is having.