The University of Tasmania (UTAS) has an opportunity to take control of Hobart Private Hospital from Healthscope which in the last week has announced KordaMentha are involved with creating a contingency plan in case it is placed into voluntary administration.
A UTAS hospital could significantly impact the future of healthcare in Tasmania, addressing the long-term investment in local healthcare professionals and benefiting UTAS’s growing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) programs.
Tasmania’s healthcare system has become reliant on short-term solutions to address the ongoing shortage of healthcare professionals, particularly in specialised fields. While initiatives to attract foreign-trained professionals and incentivise temporary staff have provided temporary relief, they do not address the root cause of the issue: a lack of long-term, locally-trained healthcare workers.
A UTAS takeover of Hobart Private Hospital could be a game-changer. By running the hospital, UTAS would gain a direct opportunity to influence the medical training landscape in Tasmania. The hospital could be integrated into UTAS’s medical and health science programs, allowing students to receive greater hands-on clinical experience in a real-world environment. This practical training, combined with academic learning, would better equip students to meet the specific healthcare needs of Tasmania’s communities.
By fostering a local pipeline of well-trained healthcare professionals, UTAS could ensure a more sustainable and self-reliant healthcare workforce.
Graduates who complete their clinical placements and residency programs at the university-run hospital would likely be more invested in staying in Tasmania to work, knowing the unique healthcare needs of the region.
Over time, this strategy could help reduce the state’s dependency on external talent, creating a more stable healthcare workforce that remains within the local community for the long term.
The potential acquisition of Hobart Private Hospital offers a unique opportunity for UTAS to enhance its STEM programs, particularly in medical and health sciences. UTAS has established itself in the Hobart CBD as a leader in STEM education and by integrating a hospital into its educational offerings, this would significantly strengthen its position in healthcare related fields.
The hospital would serve as a critical resource for STEM, not only those studying medicine and allied health but also those in fields like biomedical engineering, public health and medical technology. Students in these fields could benefit from direct access to a healthcare facility, providing them with a pragmatic understanding of how STEM innovations are applied in healthcare. This integration would allow UTAS to offer a comprehensive and interdisciplinary path to medical and health science education.
The research opportunities that would arise from having a university run hospital are significant. UTAS could direct hospital resources towards research initiatives that align with its academic strengths in areas such as rural health, chronic disease management and the ageing population. By aligning clinical practice with research, UTAS would be able to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into real-world applications, improving patient outcomes while also advancing the university’s research profile.
As healthcare technologies continually evolve, UTAS would also have a unique opportunity to become a hub for medical innovations in Tasmania, attracting industry partnerships and funding for cutting edge research.
This would not only enhance the university’s STEM programs but also contribute to the broader healthcare ecosystem by developing new solutions for medical challenges.
In addition to workforce development and STEM advancements, UTAS’s control of the hospital could significantly improve healthcare access for Tasmanians.
By integrating the hospital into a university community-oriented mission, UTAS could ensure that healthcare is more affordable and accessible, particularly for those in rural and regional areas who may otherwise struggle to access specialised care.
Satellite facilities in partnership with the state government could see Ouse medical centre open its doors again to those 1000 displaced patients as an example.
A university-run hospital would have the potential to focus on providing both private and public healthcare services, ensuring that all community members benefit from high-quality care, regardless of their financial situation. Furthermore, as part of its broader commitment to community engagement, UTAS could implement health initiatives that focus on preventive care and public health, tackling issues that disproportionately affect Tasmania’s vulnerable populations.
By reinvesting revenue from hospital operations into healthcare services and education, UTAS could create a more equitable healthcare system that provides comprehensive care and support to the Tasmanian community.
The financial benefits of taking over Hobart Private Hospital would also have a direct impact on UTAS’s long-term sustainability. Operating a hospital is a capital-intensive endeavour, but it could also provide a significant revenue stream for the university. This revenue could be reinvested into academic programs, research initiatives, and community healthcare projects, further strengthening UTAS’s role as a leader in education and healthcare delivery.
Most Tasmanians I imagine would rather see a taxpayer bailout go towards investing into a university hospital rather than possibly postponing the demise of any further private medical services.
The hospital’s integration into the university could also open new doors for cross-disciplinary collaboration, where STEM fields intersect with healthcare. For instance, biomedical engineers could work alongside clinicians to develop new medical technologies, while public health researchers could collaborate with hospital staff to implement evidence-based interventions. This type of collaboration would make the university a more attractive option for prospective students, faculty, and researchers, both nationally and internationally.
Moreover, by managing a hospital, UTAS would solidify its position as a central player in Tasmania’s healthcare system. The strategic location of Hobart Private Hospital allows UTAS to foster stronger ties with the broader healthcare ecosystem, paving the way for future partnerships with government agencies, research institutions, and industry stakeholders.
The Gold Coast university hospital (GCUH) is a perfect example of what can be achieved, opening in 2013 with the closure of the Gold Coast hospital. A smooth transition was made into a teaching and specialist facility with expanded services. This move not only opened opportunities by increasing health professional graduates but has cemented its path in research and development.
Taking control of Hobart Private Hospital represents a transformative opportunity for the University of Tasmania.
By integrating the hospital into its educational and research infrastructure, UTAS could build a sustainable pipeline of locally trained healthcare professionals, addressing the long-standing challenges of workforce shortages in Tasmania.
This investment in local talent would help ensure that Tasmania’s healthcare system remains robust, adaptable and self-sufficient.
Moreover, the potential to enhance STEM education through direct collaboration between healthcare professionals, researchers and students would significantly strengthen UTAS’s position in the STEM field. The university would not only benefit from the hospital as a teaching and research resource but also serve as a national leader in healthcare innovation.
By taking over Hobart Private Hospital, UTAS would have the chance to reshape the future of healthcare in Tasmania, creating a model for sustainable workforce development, fostering interdisciplinary research, and improving access to high-quality healthcare for all. The long-term benefits of this strategic move would be felt across the region, enhancing the university’s reputation and making a lasting impact on both healthcare and education in Tasmania.
All this being said, it is imperative that Tasmania looks to building a new hospital in the very near future. With 48,000 new people calling Tasmania home from 2016-2021, this population growth is unsustainable in terms of our current health care capabilities among other services and infrastructures.
It’s time we build a better future for generations to come rather than what’s best for the next election cycle.
Phillip Bigg is currently secretary of the Shooters Fishers Farmers party of Tasmania and president of Shooters Union Aus (Tas). He describes himself as: “a straight shooter, keen gardener, lover of the outdoors and a tradesperson working for his family’s business which fosters a connection to Tasmanians history, knowledge and needs. “
