ANMF COVID-19 Newsflash: Royal Hobart Hospital Snap Audit of Internal Air Temperatures

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch (ANMF) officials attended the Safe Staffing Organising Committee (South) meeting on 27 January 2022 in the company of senior Tasmanian Health Service (THS) management. As a matter of general business, the ANMF relayed we had been contacted by several Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH) members with concerns for the environmental temperature within the RHH in the context of ongoing requirements to wear COVID PPE for prolonged periods and associated risks for dehydration/fatigue/over-heating.

Subsequently, the THS have undertaken a snap audit of air temperatures within an assortment of RHH wards/units.

Of the 11 separate areas tested, the lowest temperature recorded was 21.1 degrees (in DCCM) and the highest was 24 degrees (ED resuscitation Bay 3 and Ambulance entrance) with an overall average Temperature of 21.9 degrees throughout A, H, J, and K Blocks.

Whilst these results seem to comply with regulatory standards for healthcare facilities such as the RHH, the ANMF is aware that such standards are broadly designed based upon normal working conditions and might not be appropriate for current, cumbersome PPE protocols. As such, we encourage all members to raise any concerns about heat in the first instance with their Nurse Unit Manager (or equivalent) so that issues might be dealt with locally.

Read the PDF version here.

Updates correct as at 9 February 2022.
Authorised by Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary

ASSISTANCE & SUPPORT

Member Support Team: The ANMF Tasmanian Branch is 8000 plus members strong! Supporting nurses, midwives, and care workers as the only union in Tasmania employing nurses and care workers to represent members. This is why our Organisers and Member Support Team are uniquely positioned to understand your experiences, represent you in your workplace, and offer industrial advice that’s relevant to you. Please contact our Member Support Team if you need workplace support, would like to discuss any matters or raise a concern. Alternatively, you can send an email outlining your concerns to our team - membersupport@anmftas.org.au. Email is the preferred and fastest way of contacting the team, however if your matter is urgent, please phone (03) 6223 6777 or 1800 001 241 if you are outside of Hobart.

Member Support Team

Nurse and Midwife Support If you are seeking confidential support and advice, members have access to 24/7 phone support from Nurse and Midwife Support.

Nurse and Midwife Support

More latests news

Launceston General Hospital Emergency Department

[siteorigin_widget class="Tribe_Image_Widget"][/siteorigin_widget]Update: Workplace concerns 20 March 2019 The ANMF Tasmanian Branch, following the direction of members working at the Launceston General Hospital (LGH) Emergency Department (ED), lodged an application with the Tasmanian Industrial Commission (TIC) seeking a resolution to our [...]

EA Update: North West – 20 March 2019

[siteorigin_widget class="Tribe_Image_Widget"][/siteorigin_widget]PRIVATE AND AGED CARE SECTOR ENTERPRISE AGREEMENTS UPDATE NORTH WEST REGION Baptcare Karingal Community Care The ANMF has reached in principle agreement with the employer. The ANMF will now work with the employer to finalise the draft agreement before [...]

EA Update: North – 20 March 2019

[siteorigin_widget class="Tribe_Image_Widget"][/siteorigin_widget]PRIVATE AND AGED CARE SECTOR ENTERPRISE AGREEMENTS UPDATE NORTHERN REGION Aged Care Deloraine The employer has applied to the Fair Work Commission for approval of the agreement. Eskleigh Nurses The ANMF is reviewing the employer’s updated draft agreement. Japara [...]