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The Department of Health has announced it is working with external engineering experts to develop a permanent solution to temperature control issues in older parts of the Launceston General Hospital (LGH) site and will implement the recommendations once received.
Department Secretary Dale Webster acknowledged the current challenges and said the Department was also taking a range of actions in the interim while this way forward is determined, with patient and staff safety and comfort the number one priority.
“We absolutely acknowledge the feedback from patients and staff regarding temperature control on D-Block when the outside temperature is well above average and we empathise with anyone experiencing uncomfortable conditions”, said Mr Webster.
“This is an older part of the Launceston General Hospital (LGH) site that was built in the 1980s and not purpose-built with air conditioning ducts in patient rooms.
“Last year we completed a $4 million Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Chiller Replacement Project to address these issues, with 10 new chiller units installed to enable the hospital’s various air-cooling systems to operate more effectively.
“While this investment has improved the situation, I’d like to apologise that the chiller replacement has not worked to improve conditions on D-Block as we had expected, particularly during the current run of high temperatures.
“We have implemented a range of temporary measures that are in line with infection prevention and control standards to alleviate the current conditions and I hope these are assisting the comfort of our patients and staff.
“Importantly, our facilities and engineering teams are now engaging with external consultants to investigate a permanent long-term solution to this issue, including looking at the installation of new cooling vents into patients’ rooms to provide additional air flow in affected areas.
“Work will start immediately on implementing the advice and recommendations from these external experts as soon as we have this agreed way forward.
“We will also continue to work with staff to ensure they have the support they need.”
In the interim, the LGH is trialling the use of additional portable air conditioning units and making available extra staffing for impacted wards to support patients and staff.
Work also continues to upgrade heating and cooling systems on D-Block, including further replacement and upgrades of window tinting, window seals and cleaning of exhaust, as well as a trial of sun-blocking blinds which will begin shortly.
Notably, a review of infection prevention and control measures since the COVID-19 pandemic have restricted the use of oscillating fans, which had previously been utilised in patient rooms.