Question without notice - Launceston General Hospital Water Systems

Wednesday 27 October 2021

Ms ARMITAGE question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

[2.39 p.m.]

Regarding the state of the Launceston General Hospital's steam and hot water operation and maintenance:

(1) Are the Launceston General Hospital's steam and hot water systems in safe and good working order?

(2) How often are these systems maintained?

(3) Who maintains these systems?

(4) How much money is paid each year towards maintaining these systems?

(5) Whether any flaws or risks in the LGH's steam and hot water system have been identified in the past three years, and if so, what are they.

ANSWER

I thank the honorable member for her question.

(1) The Launceston General Hospital steam and hot water systems are safe and in very good condition. To improve safety for both patients and staff, thermostatic mixing valves have been installed in all patient areas to prevent burns from hot water.

(2) The preventative maintenance schedules vary depending on the system.

(3) Systems are maintained by qualified trades staff within facilities and engineering, or external contractors for specialised equipment.

(4) Maintenance of systems is funded from the all-over facilities and engineering annual operational budget. The actual expenditure in any given year varies, depending on the preventative maintenance schedule requirements in any given year.

(5) As part of regular maintenance schedules, a switchboard that provides power to the gas boilers has been identified as nearing the end of its product lifecycle, and is scheduled to be replaced in May 2022.