Investigations Continue After Launceston General Hospital Staff Report Nausea and Faintness

Introduction
Tasmania’s Department of Health is investigating an incident at the Launceston General Hospital that left several staff members feeling ill on Friday afternoon. The episode, initially suspected to be a gas leak, forced the temporary closure of operating theatres and the postponement of some scheduled surgeries.

Details of the Incident
Emergency services were called to the hospital at around 2:40pm on Friday after staff working in one of the operating theatres reported feeling nauseated and faint.

Six staff members were affected, and three required assessment in the hospital’s emergency department before being discharged. No patients were directly impacted.

The hospital confirmed that surgeries already underway were completed, but one procedure was cancelled.

Investigation Findings So Far
Tasmania Police initially treated the incident as a potential gas leak. However, the Tasmania Fire Service did not detect any gas during its assessment.

According to a Health Department spokesperson:
“Extensive testing has occurred since the incident — including air sampling and testing of medical equipment — which has revealed no abnormalities.”

The affected theatre was ventilated prior to the arrival of fire crews.

Impact on Hospital Operations
As a precaution, multiple theatres were closed over the weekend, and non-urgent surgeries were postponed on Saturday and Sunday. Patients were notified, with surgeries to be rescheduled as soon as possible.

The Department has confirmed that planned surgery is expected to recommence on Monday, September 29. Other hospital services remained unaffected throughout the incident.

“All staff and the general public can be reassured that all other areas of the hospital remain operational and unaffected,” the spokesperson said.

Contingency and Safety Procedures
The Health Department emphasised that contingency measures were promptly activated:
“Our hospitals have contingency plans for unplanned situations and have well-established procedures in place to ensure patient and staff safety.”

The incident highlights the importance of proactive response systems in hospital environments where unexpected environmental or equipment-related hazards can emerge.

Conclusion
While the exact cause of the incident remains unclear, authorities are continuing investigations to rule out environmental or equipment issues. With surgeries set to resume, the Health Department’s immediate focus remains on restoring services safely while maintaining patient and staff confidence.