Master plans for the North West Regional and Mersey Community Hospitals unveiled
For the next 20 years, an estimated $1.4bn will be spent on major upgrades at two of Tasmania’s hospitals. Find out what’s planned.
Tasmania
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The final version of the state government’s 20-year and estimated $1.4bn vision for the North-West’s two major hospitals has been unveiled.
The North West Regional and Mersey Community Hospitals will be overhauled over the next two decades.
Acute services will continue to be provided at the North West Regional in Burnie, while Latrobe’s Mersey will focus more on inpatient and outreach subacute facilities, emergency care and day surgeries.
Health Minister Guy Barnett said that state one of the master plan, which is expected to take three years to complete, would see extra car park spaces and a new $40m mental health precinct at the North West Regional Hospital to replace the Spencer Clinic.
“The Masterplan has been informed by clinical services and facility planning with key stakeholders, and what we know about future demand, service growth, infrastructure condition, alongside community consultation,” Mr Barnett said.
“There is clearly a need for car parking at the Burnie hospital, so over the next three years, there’ll be more than 600 car spaces created.
“The Spencer Clinic is not up to scratch. I toured there just a few weeks ago so that clearly needs improvement.”
Mr Barnett said the state government would seek Commonwealth funding to support the estimated $1.4bn upgrades.
“We’ve got a federal election coming up; I’m sure Labor will be very attentive for that, as will the opposition.
“We’ve got healthcare needs like everyone else in Australia, and I’ll be lobbying hard and strong with the Premier and others to ensure that we get our fair share.”
Premier Jeremy Rockliff hoped the upgrades would improve health outcomes for North-West residents.
“As a government, we understand the need to invest in not just the healthcare infrastructure we need today, but into the future,” Mr Rockliff said.
“The North West Hospitals Masterplan puts in place a clear and ambitious vision to ensure that the services and care we provide on the North West are world-class.”
The government also revealed that, as part of the master plan, it would not continue services at the Parkside precinct in Burnie.
Originally published as Master plans for the North West Regional and Mersey Community Hospitals unveiled
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