Health Minister hits out at private hospital shutdowns as RHH hits peak demand

UPDATED: HEALTH Minister Michael Ferguson has lashed out at Hobart’s private hospitals after two closed their doors to some patients, placing extra pressure on the Royal Hobart Hospital.

A paramedic wonders where he is going to park as ambulances are ramped outside the RHH on Tuesday afternoon. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

UPDATED: HEALTH Minister Michael Ferguson has lashed out at Hobart’s private hospitals after two closed their doors to some patients due to staff leave he said was linked with school holidays.

The Royal Hobart Hospital hit level four escalation on Tuesday after the Hobart Private Hospital closed its medical ward and Calvary Hospital implemented a temporary ambulance bypass.

It comes as a new report claims $1.6 billion in GST grants had been diverted from the health system since the Liberals came to power.

The part-closure of the private hospitals came during a week health unions and the RHH staff association agreed was one of the Tasmanian Health Service’s worst for the year.

Staff complained of ramping and bed block and RHH medical staff association chairman Frank Nicklason said a “very senior, very experienced” colleague had called him about the situation with an “agitation in his voice I hadn’t heard before”.

DEMAND FOR HEALTH SERVICES OUTSTRIPPING SUPPLY

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation said ongoing pressure on the RHH was frustrating patients so badly its members were suffering increased violence, including verbal abuse, spitting and punching.

“Our members completely understand patients’ frustration that the service that they’ve accessed when at their most vulnerable and feeling so ill has let them down,” state secretary Emily Shepherd said.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson hit out at the private hospitals’ partial closures. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

Mr Ferguson did not hold back on his disappointment in Calvary and the Hobart Private Hospital and said he was in conversation with both hospitals about their temporary closures.

“It’s not right that the Royal Hobart Hospital — which is a very busy hospital and awaiting its new buildings a year from now — should also have to carry the load for two other private hospitals,” Mr Ferguson said.

“I am personally engaging with the private hospitals to ensure that they deal with their workforce to address those issues because we don’t want to see them closing over school holidays or summer periods when they’re times when people need healthcare.”

Meanwhile, independent health policy analyst Martyn Goddard this week released a report detailing what he labelled chronic underfunding of Tasmania’s health system.

His analysis found $1.6 billion in possible health funding awarded in GST grants had been diverted from the health system since the Liberals came to power in 2014.

The money was being used to write off the state’s debts, he claimed.

Mr Goddard further argued chronic bed block in the state’s hospitals was contributing to 80 avoidable deaths in the state’s public hospitals each year.

“So much damage has been done for so long that it will take years and years — even if the money was going to start to flow tomorrow in full — to get back to where we ought to be to deliver national standard care to our population,” Mr Goddard said.

“They’re going to have to change their policy on the debt-free state because that’s chasing the surplus, refusing to borrow for anything, even productive infrastructure, which is economically mad.”

Independent health policy analyst Martyn Goddard. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Mr Ferguson disputed the analysis: “We spend 30 per cent of our total revenue on the health system and so that’s a false claim.

“Frankly it’s just more talk. The time for talk is over. The Government’s about action and providing more support, more resources and more buildings so that we can be providing more care to people.”

Calvary and Healthscope, whicih owns the Hobart Private Hospital, were contacted for comment.

EARLIER: THE head of the Royal Hobart Hospital says pressure has increased on the facility because the private system is not admitting some patients.

The RHH was yesterday at level four — the highest escalation — due to high demand. Executive director Susan Gannon said there were 65 patients in the emergency department with 31 admitted and receiving care while waiting to be transferred to a ward.

“Non-acceptance of patients in the private sector has increased demand, and patients with category four (less-urgent) conditions are among those currently awaiting treatment,” she said.

“In all situations, normal triage protocols are applied. That is, the people in most need of medical treatment receive it as a priority.

“Treatment is determined by the seriousness of the patient’s condition, not the period of time they have waited.”

Ms Gannon commended the commitment and dedication of staff.