West Coast District Hospital stage one upgrades complete with funding secured for the second part of the redevelopment

A remote hospital has gained new aged care facilities, an ambulance bay, and a revamped emergency department. But that is merely the first stage of the facility’s upgrades.

West Coast Tasmania, West Coast District Hospital at Queenstown

Federal funding for the second stage of the redevelopment at the West Coast District Hospital has been secured just as the first part of the upgrades have been completed.

The Commonwealth has agreed to spend $5.74m for the second phase of the hospital redevelopment at Queenstown.

The second stage of the upgrades will include four aged care beds and associated supporting spaces.

The first part of the redevelopment at the hospital included new aged care facilities, an ambulance bay, and a new emergency department entrance and rooms.

Stage one was funded through a $2m commitment from the Commonwealth and $750,000 from the Tasmanian Government.

Health Minister Jacquie Petrusma.

State Health Minister Jacquie Petrusma said the completion of the first stage of upgrades at the West Coast District Hospital was great news for the community and that the “improvements to aged care and emergency department facilities will enhance the services our dedicated staff are able to provide to the people of Queenstown and surrounds.”

Meanwhile, Federal Health Minister Mark Butler said the upgrades would improve aged care and allied health facilities.

“This investment has supported the Tasmanian Government to meet the local needs of the people of Queenstown and surrounding communities through the delivery of an additional aged care room and contemporary Emergency Department facilities,” Mr Butler said.

“The Australian Government is delighted that its partnership with the Tasmanian Government has resulted in improvements to better meet the needs of the community of Queenstown and surrounding areas.”

Regarding securing funding for the second stage of upgrades at the West Coast District Hospital, Ms Petrusma said it would mean Tasmanians could receive “the right care, in the right place, at the right time.”

Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler. Picture: NewsWire / Martin Ollman

In addition, the federal government also provided $3.87m for stage two of the redevelopment of the Midlands Multi-Purpose Health Centre.

“It is important that community members who reside in rural and regional areas have the opportunity to access residential aged care services without having to move away from their support networks,” Ms Petrusma said.

“The Tasmanian Government looks forward to working with the Australian Government to deliver these vital infrastructure projects to benefit communities in regional Tasmania.”

Mr Butler said the federal government was committed to supporting a sustainable aged care sector.

“This funding from the Australian Government will deliver more residential care beds so that older Tasmanians can access aged care services in the communities they know and love.

“I look forward to working with the Tasmanian Government to see these valuable projects come to fruition.”

Originally published as West Coast District Hospital stage one upgrades complete with funding secured for the second part of the redevelopment