Two women have written to the ABC about their disturbing experiences working as nurses in the Royal Hobart Hospital — one quit after suffering an emotional breakdown, while the other hoped to move interstate because she was fed up with managers "dismissing" her concerns about patient safety.

Key points: Two nurses have written to the ABC detailing the impacts of stress and overcrowding at the RHH

Two nurses have written to the ABC detailing the impacts of stress and overcrowding at the RHH One nurse says her concerns about patient safety were repeatedly "dismissed"

One nurse says her concerns about patient safety were repeatedly "dismissed" The other nurse has quit after suffering an emotional breakdown

Jane* has been a nurse for two decades, in both developed and developing countries and other Australian states, but she told the ABC she "had never experienced healthcare like [that provided at the Royal Hobart Hospital] in a supposed state of a first-world country".

"Although no hospital is immune to mistakes, the Royal Hobart Hospital is most definitely the worst I have worked in," she said.

Not wanting to use her real name for fear of retribution, Jane said overcrowding and a lack of space for people at risk had meant some patients witnessed "anger and violence from unwell patients that has left holes in the walls or smashed glass".

"I have seen inexperienced doctors or those under immense pressure trying to cover several areas, misdiagnose patients who end up being in hospital for longer with a more serious illness," she said.

When Jane was concerned about patient safety, she wanted to utilise the Medical Emergency Team (MET) call system but was told more than once it was not her place to do so.

A MET is made up of specialised doctors and nurses who respond to calls for urgent medical help.

"I am trying to advocate for patients … I have never been told not to make a MET call at any other hospital or not to report an incident that impacts patient safety," she said.

Doctors in the hospital's emergency department say ambulance ramping is having a devastating effect on patients. ( ABC News )

"If an incident occurred in Victoria then I had complete support of management.

"I have only ever wanted to be an excellent nurse providing a high standard of care to my patients and families, and have always received positive feedback from them."

Jane said she is devastated she would probably be leaving.

"I really planned to make our future here," she said.

Do you know more about this story? Contact tasindepth@abc.net.au

All health workers trying to 'prop up' broken system

Kellie* (who also didn't want to be named) gave up nursing, blaming extreme pressures in the system for an emotional breakdown she suffered.

In her time on RHH wards Kellie said she had been "assaulted … abused and bullied".

"I loved my job … but years of being asked to work overtime, double shifts, extra shifts have taken their toll," she said.

"I am one of the other casualties of the health service."

Kellie said the high stress had a major impact on her relationship with her children, because "hugging them made me recognise how sad I felt for parents (of children who died in hospital) who weren't able to hug their children ever again."

"So I didn't hug my children, I was impatient, short-tempered and nothing made me happy anymore," she said.

A close friend of Kellie's stepped in and encouraged her to take a break, which eventually led to a career change.

"Every person in the health system is trying to do their best to prop it up," Kellie said.

"We work too long, too hard, get too tired. When we breakdown its because of 'relationship problems' … it's never because of the emotional toll of working in a broken system."

The State Government has been contacted for comment.

Former emergency department registrar backs up colleagues

Dr Chris Holden was one of the registrars who voiced concerns about the RHH. ( Facebook: Chris Holden )

The nurses' stories come days after a scathing assessment of the care and staff crisis at the Royal by emergency department registrars.

The damning letter from ED registrars to hospital management alleged abundant cases of direct patient injury and death, resulting from "access block"

Former RHH emergency department registrar Dr Chris Holden has written to the ABC to back up the letter.

"I was a registrar in the emergency department at the RHH until around May 2018", he said.

"The letter from the DEM (Department of Emergency Medicine) registrars, many of whom I still know well, rings very true to my experience, sadly. And good people leaving due to conditions? I think I might be one of them."

Opposition questions summit

The Tasmanian Opposition is concerned an emergency summit to address unsafe conditions at the Royal would be just another "talk-fest".

The Health Minister Michael Ferguson has brought forward an "access block" meeting to June, in response to the registrars' letter.

"I have always been upfront about the significant demand increases on health services, which we are seeing right across the country," he said.

"This challenge is faced by not only the Government, but more so by our staff on the frontline who provide health services day in, day out and deserve our full support and thanks.

"We've opened more than 130 beds but we want to do better in giving maximum patient access to our beds."

*names have been changed