The extreme summer heat has passed but the need for urgent action to address the air-conditioning situation on wards at Launceston General Hospital has not. The Liberal government should stop dragging its feet and get on with the job of tackling this major issue.
After a huge community outcry last summer, the Liberals promised they would act. Instead, we’re now hearing alarm from the ANMF that works have not started. In fact, there’s still not even a plan for how to manage beds while this project is undertaken.
Delays to commencing these works risks another hot summer without air-conditioning at LGH, and potentially increased discomfort for patients this winter too. Not only that, but failure to plan the project properly will place extra strain on hospital beds over a busy winter season when we know spikes in respiratory illnesses lead to greater strain on the hospital.
The Liberal Government promised staff and patients at Launceston General Hospital would not see another summer like they sweated through this year. The Tasmanian Greens call on the Rockliff Government to prioritise these works and to make sure air conditioning is installed at the LGH before next summer.
