A woman in her 70s has died after 9 hour wait to be admitted to Launceston Hospital

A Tasmanian hospital will be investigated after a woman died while waiting hours to be admitted. LATEST >>

THE Department of Health will investigate the death of a woman during a nine-hour wait for admission to the Launceston General Hospital Emergency Department.

The woman died while being cared for in a transition area after being taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Launceston General Hospital. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Department Secretary and State Health Commander Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said the circumstances surrounding the woman’s death were being examined.

“The Department of Health is undertaking a formal review of a case on Saturday at the LGH where a patient in their 70s died during their transition from ambulance to hospital care.

“While waiting for an emergency department bed to become available, the patient was receiving care from ED staff and paramedics in a transition area inside the ED.

“As is the case whenever a patient dies in our care, we take this matter very seriously and we give our sincere condolences to the family and friends of this patient.

“The Launceston General Hospital and Ambulance Tasmania will be conducting a root cause analysis to fully review and understand the circumstances around this patient’s death.

“Due to patient confidentiality, it wouldn’t be appropriate to comment further at this time.”

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said his thoughts were with the woman’s family.

“My heart goes out to the family, who of course have lost their loved one and I offer my sincere condolences.

“There will be of course, a formal investigation. We are doing all we can in terms of system improvement in terms of investment in Ambulance Tasmania, paramedics, our emergency department, and indeed more nurses and doctors across our health system.”

He said the government was doing all it could to improve access to health services despite the additional demand during the Covid pandemic.

“I can look Tasmanians in the eye and say that we can and need to do better when it comes to our health care.

“That’s why I’ve retained the health portfolio. I know there are challenges.

“I also know of the wonderful work that happens day in, day out every single hour with our wonderful health professionals offering the very best of care to thousands of patients.”

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