A key part of the Liberal Government’s rescue of the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment was the delivery of a safe and workable plan to decant patients during demolition and construction.
A central part of this plan is a contemporary, purpose-built 54-bed capacity inpatient facility on the Liverpool Street forecourt to allow the new K-Block to be built.
Earlier this week Hobart City Council approved the development application for this facility.
No representations were received to the proposal – a clear indication that the community wants the Royal redevelopment to proceed.
The delivery of a safe and workable decanting plan was a critical element of the Rescue Taskforce’s work.
The previous Government’s plan required patients to be sent offsite and to various parts of greater Hobart, creating huge concerns for patient safety.
The Liverpool Street forecourt facility is a key feature of the new decanting plan for the rescued Redevelopment.
Under this plan, acute patients won’t have to be decanted offsite, they will have access to critical medical facilities, and they will be away from the day to day construction disruption.
Liverpool Street entrance will remain the main entrance to the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Work is now underway to plan the installation of the temporary facility including the permit conditions. The tender for the temporary facility modules closes on 18 June 2015 and the tender for the site enabling works closes on 2 July 2015.
Services will begin to be relocated to the temporary facility from January 2016.
Demolition of B-Block will commence before April 2016 and take up to three months.
Michael Ferguson, Minister for Health
