A leaked Department of Health email has revealed that non-essential gender-affirming surgeries are being given priority over essential or emergency surgeries on Saturdays under the Emergency Theatre Booking System at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Spokesperson Dr Elizabeth Caballero said:
“Women Speak Tasmania is calling on Health Minister Bridget Archer to urgently investigate the matters contained in the leaked email.”
The email sent to staff last week stated:
“…seeking expressions of interest from those who may be available to support several upcoming Saturday gender-affirming surgery lists”.
The email went on to explain that the post-operative recovery nurses being sought were for gender-affirming surgeries:
“…being established to ensure continuity of care following the transition of services from the Hobart Private Hospital”.
The intended surgeries would be for two patients, lasting 3–4 hours each, with staff required to commit to a full day.
“While the email does not describe the type of gender-affirming surgeries, the length of the surgeries is consistent with breast removal.”
“At a time when the controversy over gender clinics and gender-affirming care in Australia is in the spotlight, the likelihood of at least 24 females having their breasts removed at Tasmanian hospitals every year is deplorable.”
“These procedures at the RHH raise serious questions about staff allocation and resources for the Emergency Theatre Booking System, and any additional allocation of theatre staff on Saturdays at a time of critical staff shortages.”
“Prioritising non-essential gender-affirming surgeries at a time when many patients have been on long waiting lists for essential, often life-saving procedures, is totally unacceptable.”
“Also unacceptable is that the RHH has offered an inducement to staff in the form of double-time pay rates.”
“Normally, staff receive an extra 50% for Saturday work, something ordinarily reserved for overtime or, in extreme cases, staff shortages.”
“Health Minister Bridget Archer must investigate these matters and answer to the Tasmanian community how this situation has been allowed to occur.”
ENDS
Media Contact:
Dr Elizabeth Caballero, retired GP
women@womenspeaktas.au