Calvary Healthcare's co-located hospital plan to help take pressure off the LGH

It comes after the Liberal Government confirmed it would fast-track the $100 million unsolicited bid if re-elected. Under its health plan, the party says it will sign a memorandum of understanding with Calvary to allow the project to proceed, within 30 days of being reelected.

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A Calvary Healthcare spokesperson said it was looking forward to working with the state government to progress an MOU.

This includes seeking approval for a direct bridge link between the Launceston General Hospital and the proposed co-located private hospital.

"The safety net of the physical bridge link between the hospitals will enable greater private options for care," the spokesperson said.

"With greater choice of private hospital accommodation, Calvary believes this makes access to beds more available to LGH for public hospital care.

"Additionally, as demonstrated during COVID-19, Calvary is ready and willing to accommodate patients as directed by Tasmanian government."

RELATED: Co-located hospital promise divides medical experts

Independent health analysis Martyn Goddard had previously raised concerns about the viability of the unsolicited bid, which remains at stage two with the Office of the Coordinator General three years after first being put to the state government.

However, the Calvary spokesperson said they had a range of options available to fund the proposed development. They said the co-located design would be guided by changes in clinical practice and patient expectations - including more operating theatres.

"A co-located Calvary Launceston hospital will expand and extend the medical speciality services on offer, and contribute to growing the reputation of the precinct as a health, research and clinical education hub for medical consultants, training medical officers, nursing and allied health professionals," they said.

"The expanded scope of offerings and the potential to work between the public and private health services will assist in attracting and retaining new specialists and other clinical staff to the North through the offering of a diverse range of opportunities."

Labor health spokesman Dr Bastian Seidel said the party had supported the proposal since 2018.

"The proposal sat with the government for three years and now the Premier has snapped out of his slumber and wants to fast track it," he said.

"I've already spoken to Calvary Health about future workforce planning in particular for sub-speciality medical training. This hospital could have been already been commissioned."

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