Media release – Guy Barnett, Minister for Health, 3 February 2024
Government committed to Launceston co-located private hospital
The Rockliff Liberal Government remains committed to supporting a private hospital co-located with the Launceston General as it continues do what matters for Tasmania.
The Government is now planning a pathway forward after Calvary Health Care decided to withdraw from the ambitious project.
Health Minister Guy Barnett thanked Calvary for its ongoing efforts to deliver this significant investment.
“I understand Calvary Health Care’s decision not to proceed was based on cost escalations.
“I want to make it abundantly clear our government remains committed to partnering with providers to see this project through.
“That’s why we are progressing with the demolition of a number of buildings at the LGH, some of which date back to the 1960s and ‘80s, to make way for a co-located private hospital.
“We are continuing to rollout our LGH Masterplan, which sets out the future vision and direction for the LGH precinct and is supported by our commitment of $580 million over the next 10 years.”
Calvary Health Care National CEO Martin Bowles expressed his disappointment in not being able to proceed with the proposed development.
“Our team has invested an enormous amount of time and energy to try and deliver the co-located private hospital, however, the associated challenging budget escalations are insurmountable for Calvary at this time,” Mr Bowles said.
“Calvary did not make this decision lightly and acknowledges the outcome is disappointing for our staff, Visiting Medical Officers, suppliers and the broader community.
“Aligned with our mission, Calvary is committed to a commercially viable solution which meets our strategic goals, as well as contributes to serving the needs of the northern Tasmanian community.”
Media release – Australian Medical Association (AMA) Tasmania, 3 February 2024
CALVARY HEALTH CARE’S DECISION TO WITHDRAW FROM LAUNCESTON CO-HOSPITAL PROPOSAL
The Australian Medical Association (AMA) Tasmania is extremely disappointed to hear of Calvary Health Care’s decision not to build its co-located hospital with the Launceston General Hospital (LGH) today.
Dr John Saul, President AMA Tasmania, adds, “A modern private hospital is essential to support a robust public health system.
It provides alternative patient care options and reduces the demand on the state- and federal-funded public hospital system, where patients can be treated privately.
It helps to attract and retain staff (doctors, nurses, and allied healthcare workers) who want to work in both private and public, as well as provide additional services that the public system can purchase if required.
We are particularly concerned about what this redevelopment will mean for Launceston, noting that the existing facilities in Launceston must be near or at the end of serviceable life.
Launceston provides essential services for the state’s northern half – in both public and private hospitals.
The other key parties involved in this are the private health insurers, and we must ask the question – are the private health insurers paying the private hospitals a fair and reasonable fee to provide healthcare in 2024? Private hospitals must remain sustainable.”
AMA Tasmania calls on the state and federal government to meet with Calvary Health Care immediately to see what support could be provided by the government to ensure this project comes to fruition.
Media release – Anita Dow MP, Shadow Minister for Health, 3 February 2024
Co-located hospital another Liberal broken promise
The breakdown of the Liberals’ agreement to build a co-located hospital in Launceston is symptomatic of a government in decay after 10 years in office.
Less than a year ago, the Premier said the new private hospital was expected to be completed in 2026.
The government says it remains committed to a Launceston co-located hospital, and is even demolishing buildings to make space. The problem is they don’t have a provider to work with them.
With the Liberals track record, and with the cost of the project skyrocketing while they sat on their hands, I don’t think many Tasmanians will believe they will ever get the job done.
The co-located hospital is massive project for Launceston, and will be critical in reducing pressure on the Launceston General Hospital, which has some of the worst bed-block in the nation.
Northern Tasmanians are already suffering because the Liberal government has been so slow in delivering the $580 million redevelopment of the LGH.
Jeremy Rockliff and his colleagues aren’t builders, they are announcers who are more interested in photo-ops than delivery.
After 10 years in office, this latest broken promise will leave Tasmanians with even less confidence the Liberals can get things done.
