A co-located public and private hospital set up at the LGH was found to have potential seven years ago, when a feasibility study process was started.
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The Examiner has obtained a copy of a phase one study that was completed in October 2010 by Oceana Consulting.
It recommended the then-Northern Area Health Service undertake a further feasibility study and detailed analysis about any potential issues with the proposition.
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Deputy Opposition Leader Michelle O’Byrne, who was health minister at the time, said Treasury approved the initial feasibility study.
“The study concluded that co-location could be further explored,” she said.
“The onset of the global financial crisis and its effect on the Tasmanian budget prevented further work being undertaken at that time.”
Launceston’s medical community has been lobbying Calvary and politicians for a co-located public-private hospital set up at the Launceston General Hospital for more than 20 years.
Last month, Calvary submitted an unsolicited bid to the Office of the Coordinator-General, proposing to merge St Vincent’s and St Luke’s hospitals and build a new hospital co-located with the LGH.
Launceston urologist Dr Mike Monsour said he was “more confident” than ever before about the possibility of a co-located hospital because the government and Calvary were at least talking.
“[A co-located hospital is] a win/win situation for everybody,” he said.
“When you’ve got a co-located facility, everything’s close by.
“But, unfortunately, as I’m getting towards the end of my career, I think this is going to occur after I’ve probably retired, but it’s still going to be nice to see it happen.
“It’s good for Launceston and it’s good for the patients.”
Last week, the opposition pledged to facilitate a health precinct around the LGH and a co-located private hospital on the corner of Charles and Howick streets if it won government.
Leader Rebecca White said a Labor majority government would contribute the land, which is currently a car park, but that the private hospital provider would cover the cost of the build.
Health Minister Michael Ferguson said the state government would consider Calvary’s unsolicited proposal, but would not give away public land to a private company.
Both the Liberals and Labor said parking issues at the LGH would be addressed.
