Royal Hobart Hospital: Extra beds for Covid patients as Covid protocols ramp up

The Royal Hobart Hospital has undergone a ward reconfiguration to open up more beds for Covid-positive patients. WHAT IT MEANS >>

ADDITIONAL beds for Covid patients have been opened at the Royal Hobart Hospital as demand increases.

A Health Department spokesman said the hospital continued to operate at level 3 of its Covid escalation plan.

The Royal Hobart Hospital.

“As part of level 3 escalation protocols, the RHH has reconfigured and consolidated wards to optimise capacity, make extra hospital beds available and improve patient flow throughout the hospital,” the spokesman said.

“As part of these adjustments, the paediatric ward on K6 West has been separated from K6 East, with the eastern wing still a paediatric ward and the western wing now an adult ward. The number of current patients in the paediatric ward has allowed for this to occur.”

Premier and Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the hospital was being reconfigured due to changing demand.

“I know it’s very challenging, while the escalation level at the ED has reduced, it is still high and I understand the pressure our frontline health care staff are on,” Mr Rockliff said.

“What we are doing is opening up another 16 beds at the Royal Hobart Hospital to further alleviate that pressure.”

Hospitals escalate Covid protocols as cases, deaths rise

The Royal Hobart Hospital and Launceston General Hospital have escalated to Level 3 of their COVID-19 Management Plans this afternoon as the number of Covid patients escalates.

Secretary and State Health Commander Kathrine Morgan-Wicks said there would be changes to elective surgeries and appointments, as well as a reduction in visitor numbers.

“Escalation levels are well-established and effective protocols that enable our hospitals to prioritise available resources and continue delivering essential services based on demand,” Ms Morgan-Wicks said.

“Urgent elective surgeries and appointments will continue to be delivered along with other urgent and critical services. Non-urgent elective services will be reviewed based on operational requirements and the clinical need of patients.”

Kathrine Morgan-Wicks secretary department of health. Covid presser with Premier Peter Gutwein. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Morgan-Wicks asked for “patience and understanding” if patients saw an increase in waiting times.

“Staff are working hard to address the demand for health services, and the public can have confidence that the needs of emergency presentations will be met,” she said.

Only one visitor per patient for one hour between 2pm and 7pm is allowed at both the RHH and LGH, unless an exemption is provided by the nurse-in-charge.

It comes as the death toll from Covid in Tasmania continues to rise but the number of new cases has plateaued.

There were another seven deaths from Covid in the seven days to Friday, according to the latest data from Public Health.

The latest deaths take the number of Tasmanians who have succumbed to the virus since the pandemic started to 216.

The total number of new cases in Tasmania was 4045, 15 more than the previous week.

The data shows the seven day average of new cases was 578 – up just two on the previous reporting period.

The Royal Hobart Hospital.

There were 88 patients in hospital statewide – up from 77 with 23 being treated specifically for Covid.

Two people were being treated in intensive care with the virus.

All up 272,779 Tasmanians have notified health authorities that they have had Covid.

Public Health rates the chances of getting Covid as “moderate” which means “we are seeing, on average over 400 cases of Covid-19 per day in the state,” a spokesperson said.

This week, the Launceston General Hospital introduced stricter visitor restrictions, limiting it to one visitor per patient per day.

Visitors also must not stay for longer than 60 minutes and they must complete health screening upon entry.

“There are cases of Covid-19 in hospitals and outbreaks in aged care facilities and other settings.”

Last week, Greens health spokeswoman Dr Rosalie Woodruff called for the wearing of masks to be mandatory in the Apple Isle after three further deaths were recorded.

“It is tragic for three more families who have had someone die with Covid, and the more than 200 other people who have lost their lives,” she said.

“We need to listen to doctors who want a mask mandate and to keep PCR testing clinics and free RATs.”