Further assessment for a private co-located hospital in Launceston and additional statewide mental health services will be among key projects for the state government, according to its 2019 agenda.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Released on Tuesday, the government's second year agenda presented a timeline for 286 projects to be carried out between April 2019 and March 2020.
Among them were plans to commence the next stage of assessment for Calvary's proposal to invest in a new, $100 million private hospital co-located adjacent to Launceston General Hospital.
Calvary's plans for the hospital were first put to the state government in December 2017.
Further assessment to finalise an appropriate location have been earmarked to take place in the government's first quarter, between April and June, ensuring it meets the needs of the Tasmania Health Service, Calvary and future plans for the precinct.
The government is also expected to take on the advice and recommendations of the Mental Health Integration Taskforce.
This includes the best use of mental health services across community facilities, inpatient units and hospital emergency department.
Mental Health Council Tasmania's chief executive Connie Digolis said the taskforce was due to release a report, aimed at identifying pathways to create a cohesive, united and effective mental health system.
"MHCT wants to see a seamless mental health service available for all Tasmanians to access supports, at any stage, not just when they are acutely unwell," she said.
"To achieve this, we need universal support for system transformation from all stakeholders in the mental health sector, working together to deliver services designed with priority on the needs of consumers and carers.
"We also want our government to commit to a stepped model of care that focuses on preventative health and early intervention, so people are supported in their community before they become so unwell they need to go to hospital."
Meanwhile, the Royal Hobart Hospital Masterplan including redeveloping the Repatriation Hospital as a dedicated sub-acute and mental health campus, has been welcomed by the Australian Medical Association.
However, Tasmania president John Davis said while the $91 million funding would enable stage two to commence, stage three remained unfunded with no timeline for works to begin.
"While stage two is an improvement for mental health patients, stage three is critical to enable optimal patient care," he said.
"We accept the master plan and agree that it provides a way forward, however, it is a 30-year plan."
Tasmania's 2019 agenda: key health projects
First quarter: April to June
Winter Health and Hospitals plan:
The Winter Plan aims to ensure Tasmania is best prepared for winter illnesses and that the state's health agencies have the necessary coordination and capacity to deliver health care in the event of a high demand flu season.
Open and commission the new $12.1 million St Helens District Hospital:
The new hospital features 10 inpatient beds, four emergency bays, four consultation rooms, two physiotherapy rooms, as well as three separate rooms for education/training, community nursing/treatment and community activities.
State of Public Health Report release:
Released every five years, the State of Public Health Report, together with the supporting Health Indicators document, provides a summary and analysis of the health status of Tasmanians. The report is coordinated by the Director of Public Health and will also outline key measures to protect and promote health in Tasmania.
Tasmanian Community Innovation Grants, recipients announced:
Forming part of the government's Healthy Tasmania five-year Strategic Plan, the grants aim to help communities develop partnerships with health providers, local government, not-for-profits and commercial enterprises and businesses.
Second quarter: July to September
Release of the Tasmanian Immunisation Strategy:
The next iteration of the Tasmanian Immunisation Strategy to further increase the rates of child and adult immunisation across the state, will be publicly released.
Third quarter: October to December
Complete and open first stage of the new and expanded LGH 4K Children's Ward:
The Ward 4K redevelopment will provide a new 36-bed contemporary facility, which will include Tasmania's first dedicated adolescent mental health unit, along with a number of specialist clinics.
Completion of LGH Masterplan:
A master plan for the LGH and adjacent health facilities is expected set out the capital and infrastructure requirements for the next 50 years of health service delivery in Northern Tasmania, in line with the Clinical Services Profile.