HEALTH Minister Michael Ferguson says a deal on the Mersey Hospital has no implications for the state's budget and will be announced within days.
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The agreement on the Commonwealth-owned hospital expires at the end of June, but the state and federal governments have both said a new funding deal will be announced soon.
Mr Ferguson on Monday said the deal would be completed within days.
"It is literally a matter now of formalities," he said.
"The community will not be left in the lurch and the two governments are working extremely positively on this."
Mr Ferguson said the deal was separate to the state budget, which will be handed down on Thursday.
"There are no implications in regard to the state budget," he said.
As part of the state government's health reforms, the Mersey would be used for day surgeries, with more complex procedures diverted to the Royal Hobart Hospital and the Launceston General Hospital.
Opposition Leader Bryan Green said the deal should have been secured months ago.
"They're saying that eventually there's going to be an announcement with regard to the Mersey - 'just hold your breath and everything will be fine'," he said.
"The fact is they should have made an announcement some time ago because the Commonwealth owes Tasmania that $70 million."
Mr Green said it would put an enormous amount of pressure on the state's finances if Tasmania was asked to take over responsibility for the Mersey.