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

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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.

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