Some Launceston surgeons and physicians say Calvary’s proposal to build a co-located private hospital at the LGH is a positive step forward and should be properly considered.
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The Examiner revealed on Wednesday evening that an unsolicited proposal from Calvary was with the Office of the Coordinator-General, and was in a confidential stage of the process.
On Thursday, Opposition Leader Rebecca White announced a policy to develop a health precinct and contribute public land in kind on the corner of Charles and Howick streets to a private hospital provider if Labor won the election.
She said the process needed to be “open and transparent”.
Launceston urologist and former Calvary medical advisory committee chair Dr Mike Monsour said the medical community supported the objectives expressed by Labor.
“[However], our concern is that Labor’s media response proposes $250,000 for development of a masterplan and a call for expressions of interest,” he said.
“This is progress in reverse, especially when a major private health organisation has already presented a funding commitment with a sound proposal, including building plans.”
Dr Monsour said the medical advisory committee, which included surgeons and physicians, for the private hospitals in Launceston, had pushed for a public-private hospital set up for more than 20 years.
“The wheel is turning and does not have to be reinvented, and our hope is that this needed proposal is not lost in further committees, reports, red tape and inevitable inaction.
“The health of our community is at stake.”
Ms White said Labor had held discussions with Calvary during the past few months about its policy.
“Those discussions have been constructive and informative,” she said.
“Labor has proposed an open and transparent process to realise a co-located private hospital as part of a wider Launceston health precinct.”
Medical advisory committee chair Dr David Penn said Calvary’s unsolicited proposal included architect drawings of the proposed hospital.
“The ball’s in the governments court now,” he said.
The AMA and Launceston Chamber of Commerce both supported Labor’s health policy.
