The Launceston Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the Northern Tasmanian Development Corporation and the Regional Australia Institute, have announced it will commission a study into the economic impact of the health sector in the state's north.

Chief executive Neil Grose said the chamber had been working with public and private health providers and researchers for some time, with a view to further understanding the business opportunities in the health sector.

"While good health outcomes are quite rightly seen as the highest priority, the economic impact of the health sector is little understood," he said.

"Until now, there has been little understanding of the significant and positive economic impact on the region from the health industry.

"It is well known that the health sector is northern Tasmania's largest employer, yet it is less clear as to the extent that the health sector contributes to the supply chain economy.

"This is as diverse as food to supply hospitals and aged care kitchens to the logistics for pathology and other items."

Rather than rely on the government to fund such a study, Mr Grose said the chamber along with NTDC and the Regional Australia Institute, had garnered the resources to enable the "important piece of supply chain mapping and research" to be undertaken.

Chief executive Maree Tetlow said NTDC had supported the concept of better servicing the health and community sector, using local industry, for some time.

"This supply chain mapping will identify where the opportunities are to develop new products and/or services to supply the burgeoning health sector," she said.

"This is all about considering the health sector as an economic opportunity as well as an important community service."

RAI chief executive Kim Houghton said the innovative approach would help develop a better understanding of how purchasing patterns could be used to boost local and regional economies.

"Through the chamber's industry committee, Launceston's health sector is already showing that it is well connected and open to taking a 'whole of industry' perspective on opportunities and challenges," he said.

"This is a solid foundation to taking on a complex project like this supply chain mapping work.

"Sharing information about purchasing of goods and services requires a high level of trust, and a willingness to collaborate across organisations for the benefit of the industry and Launceston as a whole.

"The fact that this already exists through CHIC means that Launceston is the right place in which to pursue this supply chain mapping work."

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