People with non-emergency health concerns have been asked to avoid the Launceston General Hospital and seek care elsewhere tonight as high demand limits its ability to admit more patients.
The Department of Health said the hospital was experiencing increased demand on Tuesday evening, particularly from patients with acute health needs.
Department secretary Dale Webster said escalation plans had been activated to protect patients and staff.
“Clinical services are being managed at the hospital but capacity is impacted, limiting our ability to admit more patients,” he said.
The department asked people to attend the emergency department only if they were facing a genuine emergency.
The warning follows another period of heavy demand at the hospital last week.
Last week it was reported that more than 70 patients were in the emergency department, including 28 waiting to be admitted.
The Department of Health advised people with less urgent concerns to call healthdirect on 1800 022 222.
It said a registered nurse could assess their symptoms and direct them to a doctor, pharmacist, urgent care service or virtual care through Care@home.
The department also pointed patients to Tasmania’s eight bulk-billed Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, including one in Launceston.
Anyone experiencing a genuine emergency should call Triple-Zero (000) or go to their nearest emergency department.
