Launceston's first dedicated medical research and innovation centre is one step closer to being realised after $4 million in capital funding was confirmed by both major parties ahead of the federal election.
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The development of a research centre for the Launceston General Hospital has been in the works for several years, spearheaded by Northern medical charity the Clifford Craig Foundation.
After years of advocating for a dedicated centre at the LGH, Clifford Craig chief executive Peter Milne has welcomed the commitment.
"We greatly welcome this commitment from both parties, who have acknowledged the importance of this proposal and the difference it will make in the delivery of healthcare services in Northern Tasmania," he said.
Speaking on Thursday, Bass Liberal MHR Bridget Archer confirmed that if re-elected at the federal election the Liberals would fund the centre.
"I'm absolutely thrilled to announce that a re-elected Liberal government would fund the $4 million necessary for capital works to relocate the Clifford Craig Foundation, and to outfit the 1300 square metre site on the first floor of the Northern Integrated Care Service building," she said.
"This investment will deliver tangible results by securing the future of this iconic foundation and supporting its work in solving complex health puzzles that will have long-term impacts for generations to come."
Labor's candidate for Bass Ross Hart also confirmed if elected Labor would provide the Clifford Craig Foundation with $4 million in capital funding to develop the long-awaited centre.
"The Clifford Craig Foundation has been at the forefront of medical research in Tasmania, based in Northern Tasmania and this funding will ensure a world-class fit for purpose facility can continue to develop the foundation's stellar reputation," he said.
"The facility will operate as an all-encompassing hub, to harness medical research but also attract the best doctors and clinical staff to Northern Tasmania so we can improve the health and wellbeing of people living right here."
The commitment from both major parties meant that regardless of who forms government, capital and operational funding have been secured, with the state to cover the operational costs.
Under a Memorandum of Understanding put in place last year, the state government has committed to providing $2 million over five years.
With no governance structure for clinical research in place, the responsibility for managing research at the North's principal referral hospital has fallen to the Clifford Craig Foundation, a role chief executive Peter Milne said should be held by the Tasmanian Health Service.
With the cost of establishing and operating the centre estimated to be $800,000 per annum, the commonwealth commitment will contribute to capital works, which will include fitting out the centre.
Meanwhile, the $2 million from the state government will go towards creating four key positions within the THS.
Under the THS, the new roles will include a director of research, business and site governance coordinator, clinical trials manager and research nurse co-ordinator, providing governance, structure and bringing all the hospital's clinical research under one roof for the first time.
Health Minister Jeremy Rockliff said he welcomed the federal support for what was an important project for the state's North.
"The Clifford Craig Foundation has played an incredibly important role in improving the health of the community and continues to provide exciting opportunities to prospective medical specialists, researchers and students," he said.
Mr Milne said while the foundation would remain an integral part of the research centre that would bear its name, the governance of clinical research would largely be managed by the THS, allowing Clifford Craig to focus on raising research capital.
"We will continue to operate as the fundraising arm of the Launceston General Hospital, including our already significant contribution to the medical research program which last year equalled more than $900,000," he said.
"The establishment of a health research and innovation Centre established at the LGH will take medical research in Tasmania to a whole new level."
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