The Friends of Northern Hospice have been lobbying the state and federal government for a dedicated hospice facility in Launceston since the closure of Philip Oakden House in 2007.

Friends of Northern Hospice spokeswoman Barb Baker said she never expected to still be campaigning, but thought it was more important than ever.

"In Tasmania, we have an aging population and we have a sick population, we have the highest rate of chronic illness than nearly any other state," she said.

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"You could almost argue that we need more beds per capita than any other state."

In April, Labor made an election commitment to establish a 10-bed palliative care unit within the Launceston General Hospital precinct, with $5 million for capital works and $2.8 for workforce development.

Despite Labor losing the 2021 state election, Friends of Northern Hospice are still hopeful that government-owned Launceston building Allambi will be converted into a purpose-built hospice.

"We have all the plans ready to go for Allambi for the past five years because we think it's such an ideal location," Ms Baker said.

"It's like a big home and our plan means all the rooms have access to a verandah and the gardens."

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Ms Baker said hospices were essential, and allowed people comfort, support, and privacy during their final days.

"Currently, if someone is dying, the only option is calling an ambulance and taking them to the LGH," Ms Baker said.

"Then they die on the trolley or in a four-bed ward, and everyone feels like they've failed."

A retired palliative care and hospice nurse, Ms Baker said she wanted more Northern Tasmanians to have access to hospice care for themselves and their loved ones.

"People will always remember being with someone who dies peacefully," she said.

"But they'll never forget someone who doesn't die well."

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