Government under fire over handling of Hobart Private Hospital lease

The Hobart Private Hospital’s future remains under a cloud with a key deadline missed over the current lease agreement with the State Government.

The Hobart Private Hospital.

THE State Government has been accused of missing the deadline for announcing the operator of the Hobart Private Hospital when the current lease expires.

In Parliament on Tuesday morning, Labor leader Rebecca White said “chaos and dysfunction” within the Government was brewing another health disaster.

“You assured Tasmanians an announcement would be made before August, Premier, we’re now in August and the deadline has been pushed out by your Government,” she said.

“Why have you missed your own deadline?”

Labor leader Rebecca White.

Mr Hodgman told Parliament the lease on the Hobart Private Hospital expires in December and the tender process had started.

He said there had been strong interest, which was a sign of confidence in the city and the health system. But the process would not be rushed.

“The Government will not rush to secure a good outcome,” he said.

“The Government is committed to maximise the availability of private health services in this state, to make sure that they take as much pressure as possible off the public system.”

Mr Hodgman said there would be an open and competitive tender process for the future operator of the Hobart Private.

Premier Will Hodgman. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

A spokesman for current operator Healthscope told the Mercury it was “continuing to engage actively with the Tasmanian Government’s tender process”.

In an email sent to staff on Monday, the hospital’s general manager, Kathryn Berry, said she understood the tender process had “created uncertainty” among staff.

“We have submitted what we believe is a compelling proposal to extend our lease beyond December this year,” the email reads.

“I want to assure you that all parties involved are mindful of the need to resolve this as soon as possible.”