Launceston General Hospital is set to receive an overhaul after the state government publicly released its masterplan for the prospective health precinct on Thursday.
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With upgrades set to cost $580 million over the next 10 years, health providers and the opposition have welcomed the plan, but questions have been raised over the feasibility of the project.
Labor's candidate for Bass Ross Hart said the integration and consolidation of services across the site, including medical research, primary healthcare and allied healthcare, was welcome, but he held concerns for the funding of the project.
"The Tasmanian state budget did not allocate any funding for capital works to the LGH across the forward estimates," he said.
"That lack of commitment is a serious concern to me. The community needs to be concerned.
"The masterplan shows the potential of the LGH precinct, but it needs to be matched by action and funding."
READ MORE: Here's what's changed in the LGH masterplan
Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation state secretary Emily Shepherd said while the organisation welcomed the upgrades, they had hoped for greater details on the co-located hospital and community services.
"The ANMF had hoped that some innovative and alternative service delivery models could have been considered in the masterplan," she said.
"The co-located hospital is critical as is the negotiation between the Government and private provider about service delivery which must be negotiated at this stage rather than in retrospect after the colocated hospital is built and the masterplan implemented."
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Ms Shepherd said the flexibility of the plan for future capacity was a welcome addition and desperately needed.
Mental Health Council of Tasmania chief executive Connie Digolis said she welcomed the inclusion of a dedicated, integrated, mental health precinct as part of the LGH Masterplan.
"We look forward to seeing more details about the mental health precinct, and expect that there will be more opportunities to consult with the Government," she said.
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Andrew Chounding
An experienced multi-platform journalist focusing on the issues that impact health in Tasmania. With a background in social research and public policy, health reporting for Andrew is about ensuring the best health outcomes for the Northern Tasmanian community. Contact Andrew at: andrew.chounding@examiner.com.au or 0437 358 262
An experienced multi-platform journalist focusing on the issues that impact health in Tasmania. With a background in social research and public policy, health reporting for Andrew is about ensuring the best health outcomes for the Northern Tasmanian community. Contact Andrew at: andrew.chounding@examiner.com.au or 0437 358 262
