A large number of nurses in Tasmania's may resign due to unresolved stress and trauma associated with the coronavirus outbreak if a second wave of the virus was to occur, a union says.
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Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation secretary Emily Shepherd told a parliamentary committee on Tuesday such an event would place even more pressure on an insufficient level of staff working in the region.
Ms Shepherd said it took until April 15 for the first order of appropriate protective personal equipment to be lodged by the state's health service.
The state's first coronavirus case was announced by health authorities on March 2.
Ms Shepherd said fears over PPE shortages early on led to some extreme measures being taken which included locking up gear in a manager's office in the Mersey Community Hospital to prevent it from being stolen.
She said although there was a feeling the health system was more prepared this time, staff still had concerns over the capacity to effectively manage a second outbreak.
"What we now see, particularly in the North-West, is a concern about the impacts that the first wave of COVID-19 had and that has greatly reduced our members confidence in being able to deal with a second wave," Ms Shepherd said.
She said the state's most recent case of coronavirus, which involved the transfer of a patient from Victoria to the North-West, created a significant amount of stress and anxiety amongst workers.
Ms Shepherd said this resulted in a number of resignations from the North West Regional Hospital.
She said a union representative at the hospital said many members would end up taking stress leave or resign, due to unresolved stress and trauma from the first wave of coronavirus, in the event of another outbreak
Ms Shepherd said workers is the aged-care sector shared a similar sentiment.
A government spokesperson said a staff wellbeing program had been rolled out in the North and North-West in response to the aftermath of the outbreak.
They said staff were encourged to access any support they needed through an employee assistance program.
"Importantly, workers' compensation arrangements and comprehensive return to work programs are also in place to support returning employees," the spokesperson said.
"Like all jurisdictions, the Tasmanian Health Service is continuing to plan for workforce surge capacity in the event it is needed."
Labor's health spokeswoman Sarah Lovell said while the government had made assurances the health system was well-prepared for a second outbreak, frontline workers had a different story to tell.
"Eight months into this pandemic, nurses and other health workers are still struggling with inadequate staffing and resources," Ms Lovell said.
"Many of these staff were traumatised by the experience of the North West outbreak and tragically several have even quit the profession."
Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
Political reporter for Australian Community Media, based in Hobart.
