When: TODAY, 10 September 2019
Where: Launceston General Hospital, 274-280 Charles St, Launceston
Time: 3pm – 3.30pm

Today the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation Tasmanian Branch (ANMF) will be holding a media doorstop in Launceston to discuss topics resulting from the ABC Four Corners report into health hazards in Tasmania which aired last night. The report showed incidents that have occurred at the Launceston General Hospital (LGH). However, these issues are not isolated to the LGH, with ANMF members working in emergency departments across the state regularly raising workload and patient safety concerns.

“These incidents are a symptom of a health system in crisis and by no means a reflection of the staff at the frontline. These staff are working under increasingly difficult and stressful conditions and continue to do their upmost for the patients in their care,” said ANMF Executive Director, Andrew Brakey.

“Last year, ANMF members at the Launceston General Hospital held daily vigils for over 190 days to draw attention to their concerns for patient outcomes in the hospital’s emergency department. The ABC’s report last night should not be a surprise to the Tasmanian Government. They have been advised regularly that increased bed numbers and resources are required to continue to deliver safe health services to the community across the state,” said Mr Brakey.

Mr Brakey will be available for comment at today’s doorstop.

Media contact

Andrew Brakey, ANMF Executive Director
Mobile: 0427 385 501
Email: andrew.brakey@anmftas.org.au

Published 10th September 2019