Launceston cardiologist Dr Geoff Evans says the benefits of a co-located public-private hospital are “achievable and real”.
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He spent his early career as a specialist in a co-location setting on the mainland.
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An unsolicited proposal from Calvary is before the Office of the Coordinator-General, for a $100 million-plus investment into a private hospital co-located with the Launceston General Hospital.
It is understood the plan is to build the hospital on the corner of Charles and Howick streets with a corridor connecting the new build to the LGH.
The new private hospital would replace St Vincent's and St Luke's.
The proposal was submitted by Calvary in December and, as an unsolicited bid, remains confidential until a preliminary assessment has been conducted.
If Cabinet determines it should be taken further, then it will move to stage two of the process.
“After many years working for improvements in health outcomes on behalf of our community, I believe this proposal represents an outstanding opportunity for positive progress and better community health,” Dr Evans said.
“If the many benefits are clearly understood, there is little doubt the community will be active in support of the new hospital.”
Dr Evans said the proposal offered the opportunity to cooperate on critical services between the public and private hospitals.
“Areas such as the public emergency department, radiology and intensive care could benefit from co-location, by improving the economy of scale, funding and ultimately the overall number of specialist doctors and nurses.”
He said the co-location could not be achieved unless it first had community, business and political support.
“Once built, the public and private hospitals need to operate closely and cooperatively. Nationally, sensible cooperation has been the greatest challenge for this type of development. Improving the health outcomes of the whole community must remain central.”
Opposition Leader Rebecca White announced a policy last week to facilitate a health precinct around the LGH and a co-located private hospital.
She said a Labor majority government would contribute the land to the private hospital provider, but that the cost of the build would be covered by the successful company.
