THE Kings Meadows renal unit will be officially opened today as part of the $1 million redevelopment of the Launceston Community Health Centre.
Health Minister Lara Giddings is expected to open the new unit, which is the first stage of the $22.5 million Launceston Integrated Care Centre.
The unit is a 16-chair facility that will treat people with renal failure.
The centre has been designed to bring a range of health services together under the one roof - from primary and acute services to public and non-government providers.
It offers co-ordinated care for those with more than one medical condition, who need treatment from a range of health professionals and services.
The centre was also designed for better management of chronic conditions, such as diabetes, arthritis, heart disease and kidney disease.
The total cost of the redevelopment was about $1 million - with $900,000 for the renal satellite unit and $100,000 to refurbish the rest of the campus.
The refurbishment of the Joan Marshall Wing, including a new kitchen, a facelift for offices and provision of flexible meeting and program space, was the first stage of the project.
Stage two involved relocating Allied Health.
The third stage of the project was the development of the renal satellite unit.
Also included at the centre are two podiatry clinic rooms, social work offices with adequate space to hold family conferences and physio treatment rooms, office space, storage space, and a small gym.
The cost of the Integrated Care Centre was covered with $15 million from the Federal Government, and a further $3 million from the State Government and $4.5 million from the University of Tasmania.
The centre is part of the Launceston hub, which also includes other developments such as the new emergency department at the Launceston General Hospital.
It is part of almost $100 million the State and Federal governments had contributed between them to invest in health services and facilities in the North.