Question - Launceston General Hospital - Temperature Control

Tuesday 23 September 2025

Ms ARMITAGE question to LEADER for the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Ms RATTRAY

[2.48 p.m.]

My questions are regarding upgrades to the air-conditioning and cooling in older parts of the Launceston General Hospital buildings, including D Block. Can the honourable Leader please advise:

(1)          A media release on 4 February 2025 stated that 'the Department of Health … is working with external engineering experts to develop a permanent solution to temperature control issues in older parts of the LGH site and will implement the recommendations once received'.

(a)          Has an engineering firm been engaged to complete this work? If so, can you please advise which engineering firm is undertaking the work or, if not, when is a firm expected to be selected?

(b)         What stage of the solution process is the Department of Health currently at?

(c)          Is it expected that a permanent solution will be implemented in time for the upcoming 2025‑26 summer period?

(d)         What sort of permanent solutions are being explored? Will these require significant retrofits and alterations to existing buildings and structures?

(e)          Do you have any indication of how much a permanent solution might cost?

(2)          If a permanent solution is not expected to be in place for the upcoming summer, what heat‑mitigating solutions are planned?

(3)          What measures will be put in place specifically for healthcare staff, understanding that exhaustion and fatigue symptoms are made worse by stifling heat?

(4)          What measures will be put in place specifically for patients, understanding that health outcomes can be significantly adversely affected by stifling heat?

ANSWER

Mr President, I acknowledge the honourable member's ongoing strong advocacy for the Launceston General Hospital in the north of the state.

In answering:

(1)          For question (1).

(a)     An engineering firm was engaged in February 2025 to design a permanent solution to fix temperature‑control issues in older parts of the Launceston General Hospital. This solution will address heating and cooling issues in the 4O maternity unit and inpatient wards on levels 3 to 6 of D Block.

(b)     The works commenced in June to upgrade the heating and cooling system that services D Block and the 4O maternity ward at the LGH, with works on Ward 4O progressing first. Delivering these types of critical systems and upgrades within a working hospital is a highly complex task. Due to the disruptive nature of the works in patient rooms, it will be necessary to decant patients from individual wards. The upgrades have been carefully staged and sequenced to minimise disruption to clinical services and to maintain continuity of care.

(c)     By November 2025, the commissioning of upgraded heating and cooling systems is anticipated in eight patient rooms on Ward 4O. A further two patient rooms will be commissioned in early 2026, with the remaining 10 patient rooms completed by mid‑2026. External early works have also commenced on D Block, with the relocation of Ward 3R expected to occur in October 2025, allowing internal works to commence. It's expected the first ward in D Block will be completed by early 2026, with the remainder of the wards completed throughout 2026.

(d)     The works currently underway for Ward 4O and D Block will provide a permanent solution to temperature‑control issues in those areas, including in every patient room. These works require extensive construction works to upgrade rooftop plant and install ductwork and in‑ceiling fan coil units to areas previously not directly serviced by heating and cooling.

(e)     The cost of the contract for works on Ward 4O is $3.2 million and the cost for works on D Block is $4.4 million, which has been met from the existing LGH redevelopment budget for Stage 2.

(2)          Interim measures have already been implemented, including window tinting upgrades, window seal replacements and the installation of sun‑blocking blinds. Windows are also able to be opened, and portable air conditioners will also be deployed as required.

(3)          Staff are expected to benefit from the measures described in the response to question (2).

(4)          Patients are expected to benefit from the measures described in the response to question (2).

Supplementary Question

Ms ARMITAGE - I may have missed the answer. Part of my first question was, can you please advise which engineering firm was engaged?

Ms RATTRAY - The honourable member is absolutely correct. She didn't miss it. It isn't in the response, and I will endeavour to have that provided to you by the end of the week.