A co-located private hospital at the Launceston General Hospital will become a reality under a re-elected Liberal Government.
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Premier Peter Gutwein announced the Liberals would support the unsolicited bid from Calvary for the $100 million co-located hospital on Monday, as part of its $156.4 million health policy.
The unsolicited bid was put forward by Calvary three years ago, but the project has since stalled, sitting at stage two with the Office of the Coordinator General.
A survey of The Examiner readers, polled as part of the masthead's Critical Condition health series showed the co-located private hospital had strong support of the community.
Of those who responded, 85 per cent agreed Launceston needed a new co-located private hospital, while 10 per cent disagreed and 5 per cent were undecided.
"I'm very pleased to announce that a re-elected Liberal government will fast-track the co-location bid for a private hospital at the LGH, to provide a complementary service to the precinct," he said.
Mr Gutwein committed that within 30 days of being sworn in, the Liberal Government would finalise with Calvary Health Care a memorandum of understanding to remove any outstanding impediments to allow the project to be delivered.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Labor and the Greens have yet to respond to the policy, or announce their alternative health policies.
However, Independent Member for Clark Sue Hickey described the health announcement as "a sham".
Ms Hickey said the Liberals have suddenly found an extra $154 million for elective surgery, "but what have they been doing over the past seven years while the waiting lists have grown like topsy?"
"At every fortnightly meeting I had with Premier Peter Gutwein and Ministers over the past three years, health was on my agenda and I implored them to put more money into health and to employ more nurses," Ms Hickey said.
"They simply weren't interested. They've done nothing for seven years, yet on the eve of the election, they somehow find some money."
Clark Independent candidate Kristie Johnson called on both major parties to address the real issues facing Tasmanians.
"Of course, I'm pleased to see media reports of the Liberals' promise of $150 million to increase the number of surgeries, but I am concerned that such a cash-splash does not address the underlying, structural problems facing Tasmania's health system," she said.
"We've seen governments throw money at elective surgery over the years, but nothing changes."
The health policy also promises to deliver a new purpose-built mental health unit at the LGH, where the Anne O'Byrne building stands, to replace the existing Northside facility.
It will also construct a new seven-storey tower block on the Northside building site to provide space for seven new hospital wards and the expansion and refurbishment of existing ones.
The LGH will also receive a redesigned ambulance and patient drop-off zone, as well as a new and bigger ED waiting room, including separate areas for children, adults and people in acute psychological distress.
The planned new Ward 3D will be designed and fitted out as a dedicated Older Persons unit, to enable best practice care for our most vulnerable patients.
Other commitments include a full refurbishment of the adjacent 39 Frankland Street, as a dedicated administration and learning hub and a new 10-bed, five-recliner, coronary care unit, as part of an expansion of medical imaging.
St Lukes Health chief executive Paul Lupo said the support of the government for the co-located private hospital bid would be a "game-changer for future generations of Northern Tasmanians."
"We are a key voice for our members and what they are telling us is that access to health care is their biggest priority and this project would help to deliver that," he said.
"Not only for our private members, but it will help take the pressure off the public system."
He said the co-located private hospital would help to improve access, however, he was looking forward to more focus on preventative health, to rebalance priorities and health needs.