Community, businesses weigh in on Tasman Private Hospital

An eye surgeon fears Hobart would lose “talented surgeons” and waiting lists would blow out if the controversial proposed Tasman Private Hospital development in New Town does not proceed. SEE MORE REACTIONS FROM BUSINESS OWNERS >>

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AN EYE surgeon fears Hobart would lose “talented surgeons” and waiting lists would blow out if the controversial proposed Tasman Private Hospital development in New Town does not proceed.

Dr Paul McCartney said his Hobart Eye Surgeons team has outgrown their day surgery of more than 20 years in Argyle St and is seeking a new Hobart facility.

Admittedly a minor financial shareholder in the proposed $55 million development, Dr McCartney is staunchly in favour of Nexus Hospitals and Contact Group’s New Town Rd site hospital opposite Warragul Ave, for which a third development application was recently submitted to Hobart City Council.

“We need it to service a new patient rate because at the moment we’re working at key capacity and beyond,” he said.

Clinical Associate Professor Paul McCartney of Hobart Eye Surgeons practice is in favour of the proposed New Town Hospital development. Picture: NIKKI DAVIS-JONES

“We need it for both private and public patients.”

Dr McCartney had observed public criticism over the location.

“It needs to be somewhere close to the other existing hospitals because doctors will work in multiple hospitals in a day,” he said.

“As much as it would be nice to have it in Glenorchy or Clarence it just wouldn’t work.”

He hoped the hospital would provide a centralised “one stop shop” for patients with an array of medical tenants in one place.

Dr McCartney said medical students training onsite would help ease public waiting lists, but feared without the development the students would look to other states and territories for work.

Cheryl and Naser Daci from Daci & Daci Bakers said the development could promote foot traffic to nearby businesses including their cafe and were in favour of extra health services, but said ultimately it was the opinions of New Town residents that mattered most.

“It’d be highly unfair of me to say it should go ahead because at the end of the day I don’t live there,” Cheryl Daci said.

Adam Walker in front of his fathers untitled sculpture (Stephen Walker) that will be incorporated into a hospital development at New Town. Picture Chris Kidd

New Town local Glenn Woodfall said residents had previously opposed the project’s height and scale, but will reserve judgment of the third application until it is advertised.

“We’ll deal with what’s in front of us and not chase down rabbit holes,” he said.

Mr Woodfall was not aware of Nexus Hospitals initiating discussions with residents.

Nexus Hospitals confirmed they were “working with Council officers on the content of the DA”.

Hobart City Council are set to consider the proposal early next year.