Surgery cancellations at record levels
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Elective surgery cancellations at the LGH have reached record levels. (ABC News: Michael Brooks)
Elective surgery cancellations at the Launceston General Hospital reached record levels in August and September.
The hospital has struggled to fill senior staffing positions.
The LGH's Chief Executive John Kirwan says he's hired 12 locums to begin work in the emergency department between now and February to try and fill the gaps.
"We are planning to gear up surgery again in October and November to try and catch up with the cancellations and we are now looking at redesigning out-patient flow and others, so our surgical work is managed in a bit more of a predictable manner," said Mr Kirwan.
Meanwhile, the first of 12 locum doctors has begun work in the Launceston General Hospital's emergency department to alleviate staff shortages.
Mr Kirwan says they don't usually use locums, but have organised for a dozen to start work between now and February.
He says hopefully the locum doctors will alleviate the pressure in emergency until permanent positions can be filled.
"The government has ... agreed that we can bring forward the recruitment for medical staff into the area if we can find them, and of course there's an international shortage so we're in a very competitive market."
