Hospital boss apologises as patients sleep on floor

A TOP health bureaucrat has apologised for overcrowding at the Royal Hobart Hospital during which patients were forced to sleep on the floor of the emergency department because they were waiting so long for treatment.

A patient waiting for treatment at the Royal Hobart Hospital makes a bed on the floor.

A TOP health bureaucrat has apologised for overcrowding at the Royal Hobart Hospital during which patients were forced to sleep on the floor of the emergency department because they were waiting so long for treatment.

Acting Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Opposition Leader Rebecca White both described the situation at the state’s largest hospital as unacceptable.

The crisis has become so acute that staff tonight put trolleys and reclining chairs in the emergency department waiting room so that some of the dozens of patients waiting could rest.

The hospital’s executive clinical director, Craig Quarmby, said a late winter surge in demand had left the hospital operating on level 4 of its escalation scale.

At 2pm today, there were 58 patients in the emergency department, including two men who had been waiting for admission for more than 72 hours.

Waiting periods have blown out because the hospital is effectively full and patients cannot be moved to wards.

“Last night we had a very very busy ED and unfortunately over that period we had a couple of mental health patients that had been in seats during the day. As it got on to the evening they made makeshift beds on the floor,” Dr Quarmby said.

“In a very busy day, it was not picked up until later when recliners could be bought in … and we apologise to those patients.

“This is an unusual episode and we are reviewing it to ensure that we can do better for our patients next time.

Labor Leader Rebecca White. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

“We have put a system in place with trolleys been sought, so if it looks like it may occur tonight then trolleys have already been sought to put patients on rather than them making makeshift beds.”

Dr Quarmby said people needing emergency care should still come to the hospital.

“We have a triage system in place. That triage system means that those with the highest clinical risk get treated first and we will continue to do that.”

Acting Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he was taken aback to hear of patients fashioning makeshift beds on the floor.

“No, that’s not acceptable and we are very concerned about that,” he said.

“We’re very concerned.

“We want to make sure that every mental health patient is treated with the utmost dignity and respect.

“That’s why, of course, we’re investing $95 million dollars in opening 25 mental health beds in southern Tasmania.”

Opposition Leader Rebecca White said she was appalled.

“I’m saddened to hear that this is the health system that we have,” she said.

“I don’t think any Tasmanian thinks that this is acceptable.

“There’s no doubt that health is the number 1 concern for many people and these stories that we’re hearing day after day now demonstrate that we are failing people.

“We need to do better and the Government needs to acknowledge that and properly fund health services, properly staff health services and make sure that patients aren’t let down like the stories we’ve heard today and others.

“It’s just so terrible and I don’t think that any Tasmanian think that this is acceptable any longer.”