HACSU is urgently calling on the Health Minister to intervene regarding the dangerously inadequate cooling systems at Launceston General Hospital (LGH) as the state swelters through a heatwave warning.
With temperatures reaching the mid-30s, the lack of adequate air conditioning in critical areas – including two wards and the Ambulance ramp – poses a serious risk to the health of already vulnerable patients and the safety of staff.
The Ambulance bay has been particularly concerning, where temperatures soared to 36°C by 9:00am in January.
“Patients cannot remain in ambulances due to the risk of fuel fume poisoning, further exacerbating an already critical situation,” HACSU State Secretary Robbie Moore said.
“Despite having raised these issues over the past 12 months, LGH management and the government have sat on their hands,” he added.
While union staff will today be handing out icy poles (the government’s solution to the issues), chilled water and setting up a pool for staff to cool down, HACSU is calling for the urgent installation of portable air conditioning units in both D Block and the Ambulance bay to provide more substantive immediate relief from the extreme heat.
HACSU is also advocating for additional hours for the infection control team to maintain and clean the cooling units, safeguarding against infection risks.