As I’ve said before, there will be no net reduction in the number of beds at the Royal Hobart Hospital following the decommissioning of B-Block.

We have ensured there will be additional `flex beds’ in times of high demand – which is part of our Patient’s First Initiative and our safe decanting plan.

We will continue with the demolition of B-Block because without it, we cannot build a new 250-bed K-Block that will provide a better level of care to our patients.

Michael Ferguson, Minister for Health