Ms ROSOL – I’d like to ask some questions about the reportable deaths review in Launceston. In 2024, the Department of Health appointed an expert panel to review deaths at the Launceston General Hospital that had not been reported properly to the coroner. Following the review, the department referred a number of matters to the coroner. Since that time, have you received any updates or information from the coroner on their review of these matters?
Mrs ARCHER – The Department of Health is committed to ensuring that every Tasmanian receives the best possible healthcare in a safe and supportive environment. In January 2024, testimonies provided to the Parliamentary House of Assembly Select Committee Inquiry into the transfer of care delays hearings alleged instances of unreported deaths to the coroner and falsification of medical certificates at the Launceston General Hospital. On 20 February 2024, an independent clinical panel was established to investigate these allegations. The panel was led by former CEO of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, Adjunct Professor Debora Picone. The focus of the panel was to review whether deaths had occurred that should have been reported to the coroner and whether any follow‑up actions were required. The panel was also asked to review death reporting policies, protocols and systems within the Tasmanian Health Service to ensure compliance and effectiveness and to ensure they meet legal and clinical standards. On 26 June 2024, the panel delivered its final report to the Department of Health and the full report was published on 28 June 2024.
In accordance with the panel’s recommendations, 29 cases that had previously not been reported to the coroner but were found by the panel to be reportable under the Coroners Act 1995 were referred to the coroner’s office. All 29 cases remain under investigation by the coroner’s office, which has appointed an independent clinical nurse consultant to provide a comprehensive review of each case. In supporting the families of the cases, the Department of Health is continuing to maintain an open disclosure process and is corresponding with senior next of kin on a monthly basis. The panel also made a series of additional recommendations to enhance documentation, protocols and systems to strengthen the reporting of deaths across the Department of Health, all of which continue to be implemented in full. The Department of Health has also informed the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages and referred the report to Tasmania Police, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and the Integrity Commission for assessment.
The department is now examining its death reporting processes, medical records and associated complaints prior to 2019 to identify further learning and improvement opportunities. Significant progress has been made with clinical orders, governance and system improvements. The department acknowledges the impact of this process on affected families and remains committed to providing information and ongoing support. If future cases are identified and required to be referred to the coroner, the department will engage with families via the same open disclosure process.
Ms ROSOL – Thank you, minister. Staying with Launceston General Hospital, I have a question about the air conditioning there because it looks like quite a few of the wards are going to remain very hot over the summer. Is there a work plan for fitting the air conditioning across the wards that you would be able to provide for us? And, can you provide an update on progress with those works?
Mrs ARCHER – Thank you. Our number one priority is obviously the safety and comfort of patients and staff and we’re committed to fixing the air‑conditioning issue at the Launceston General Hospital. The Tasmanian government is upgrading the air conditioning system that services D Block and Ward 4O, the maternity ward at the Launceston General Hospital. These upgrades will deliver air conditioning directly into patient rooms, improving patient comfort in high ambient temperatures as well as minimising potential risks to staff and patients.
Due to the disruptive nature of the works in the patient rooms, it is necessary to decant patients from the wards, to meet service delivery and infection control requirements. On Ward 4O, works are being achieved via a room‑by‑room closure, resulting in a decrease of up to four beds at any one time. Works may be paused if demand dictates the need for all beds on Ward 4O to be operational. As the Ward 4O works do not involve a detailed decanting strategy like the one required for D Block, the contract was executed and works were able to commence earlier than the D Block wards.
On Ward 4O, external works commenced in June 2025 and internal works commenced in August 2025 and are expected to be completed by mid 2026. D block works are contingent on a number of wards being decanted, i. e. relocated for the duration of the D Block works. The Launceston General Hospital entered into an agreement with Calvary Healthcare in October 2025 to temporarily relocate the rehabilitation ward to Calvary’s Melwood Unit at the St Luke’s Hospital campus. The relocation successfully occurred on 14 October 2025. Services provided in Ward 6D were then relocated to the vacated rehabilitation ward on 16 October. These services will remain in this location for the duration of the D Block works. Other services provided in D Block wards will be temporarily relocated within D Block while the heating, ventilation and air‑conditioning works are undertaken in their home ward. Internal works commenced on Ward 6D, in D Block on 21 October 2025, and it’s expected to be completed in February 2026. The remaining three floors in D Block will follow progressively throughout 2026.
Ms ROSOL – Can I ask a quick question about that progressive work? Once they’ve finished a ward, can the air conditioning be used then on that ward or do you have to wait for the whole of D Block?
Mrs ARCHER – No, it will be able to be used as it goes. There have been some additional measures put in place by the department, some additional cooling measures, including the provision of 15 portable air conditioning units for use in D Block and/or ward 4O corridors, the replacement of window seals and upgrades to window tinting, cleaning of heating ventilation and air conditioning source, and also the installation of sunblock blinds in D Block.
