Paramedics in Tasmania's north and north-west have been told to bypass a Burnie hospital for non-urgent cases, as it struggles to keep up with demand, according to the Health and Community Services Union.

HACSU's Robbie Moore said ambulances were bypassing the North West Regional Hospital (NWRH) and being directed to take patients to hospitals in Latrobe and Launceston.

But a Department of Health spokesperson has said "all emergency cases and those requiring life-saving treatment continue to be taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital, including the NWRH".

The Mersey Community Hospital, which is about 40 minutes away from the NWRH, is the closest alternative.

"This means ambulances have to travel for longer while still treating the patients and this is a really dangerous situation an

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