The ANMF Repeats Call for the Tasmanian Government to align timeframes of Emergency Department Reviews and Mandatory Offloading of Ramped Patients

The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) Tasmanian Branch, urgently repeats the call to the Tasmanian Government to ensure the harmonious implementation of recommendations from the Select Committee on Transfer of Care Delays, the Major Hospital Emergency Department (ED) Review, and the Transfer of Care Policy. This policy mandates the offloading of all ramped patients into EDs within 60 minutes of arrival.

While the ANMF acknowledges the challenges faced by paramedics waiting with patients in EDs for extended periods, and those in the community experiencing delayed ambulance responses, the ANMF emphasises that transferring patients into already overcrowded, and occasionally at overcapacity, ED merely shifts the problem without addressing its core issues.

In a presentation to the Select Committee today, the ANMF asserts that transfer of Care Delays stems from broader access and flow challenges within the health system and hospitals. Solving the problem requires addressing the root cause of access and flow issues rather than adopting isolated measures.

The ANMF advocates for the alignment of the work of various committees to ensure a comprehensive approach to healthcare improvement. By synchronising the implementation of recommendations from the Select Committee, Major Hospital ED Review, and Transfer of Care Policy, a safer offload protocol can be developed after allowing access and flow recommendations to take effect positively.

Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary, expressed concern, stating,

“Implementing the offload protocol before addressing access and flow improvements is short-sighted and reflects a lack of insight by the Government into the inherent risks associated with such a protocol and the underlying root cause of ambulance ramping”

The ANMF urges the Government to demonstrate foresight and strategic thinking by aligning efforts to comprehensively address the challenges faced by the healthcare system. This approach will not only mitigate the risks associated with premature implementation, but also pave the way for sustainable, positive progress in healthcare access and flow.

Media contact:
Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary
Mobile: 0400 884 021
Email: Emily.shepherd@anmftas.org.au