Tasmania’s Cabinet has endorsed a range of urgent measures to ease pressure at the Royal Hobart Hospital, including enhancing the role of paramedics and using rural hospital beds more often.
A report was commissioned by Health Minister Michael Ferguson following a series of incidents at Tasmania’s two biggest hospitals last month.
Two women had miscarried on hospital chairs at the Royal Hobart Hospital due to bed shortages, and a badly injured 91-year-old man had to wait more than 48 for surgery at Launceston General Hospital.
In January, Mr Ferguson apologised to a 95-year-old woman who had to lie on the floor at the Royal due to a lack of beds.
Cabinet was handed the report by the Health Minister on Monday.
The recommendations contained in the report came from the heads of the Tasmanian Health Service and Health Department.
The initiative, called Patients First, is in addition to the state’s long-term health plan.
Actions include recruiting and training nurses specifically to deal with patients in emergency department waiting rooms.
There will also be a trial allowing senior nurses to make early discharges based on medical advice from treating doctors.
Better utilisations of rural hospital beds was also cited, allowing patients to receive care closer to home where appropriate.
The role of paramedics will be looked at, perhaps allowing them to help manage emergency department demand.
A review of escalation policies to allow for more senior support to be called in during periods of high demand.
It is unclear when the measures will be adopted, whether any new jobs will be created or if any extra funding will be made available.
Mr Ferguson has denied the shortages or staff were related to a lack of funding.
The Minister will be providing more details of the initiative in Parliament later today.