23 May, 2019
Michael Ferguson MP
Minister for Health
2019-20 Budget: Opening more beds at the Royal Hobart Hospital
The Hodgman Liberal Government is delivering $132 million in the 2019-20 State Budget to progressively open new beds at the Royal Hobart Hospital, following the completion of Stage1of the Redevelopment and refurbishments to existing areas.
The Budget is about maintaining the momentum and investing for growth in essential services.
This funding will see more than 100 new beds open at the RHH over the next four years, delivering a huge long-term capacity boost for acute health services for the entire state. This includes a new dedicated adolescent unit with specialised mental health care for young Tasmanians.
It is estimated more than 460 new full-time equivalent nurses, doctors and health professionals will be recruited to staff these additional beds, including:
- Nearly 300 FTE nurses
- 60 FTE doctors
- 40 FTE allied health professionals
We are investing in the vital health infrastructure we need to deliver additional services, and that includes $90.6 million to commence stage 2 of the RHH Redevelopment. This will see an expansion to the Emergency Department, more ICU beds and ward upgrades over three years.
The RHH Redevelopment is the largest health infrastructure project Tasmania has ever seen and the Hodgman Liberal Government is proud to finally be delivering it, after it was talked about for generations.
We know there is increased demand on our hospitals, which is why this budget also includes $180 million to reduce pressure across the Tasmanian Health Service, and $40 million to support emergency care and bed access.
Importantly, this includes support for any immediate measures adopted following the planned Access Solutions Meeting, and to assist in supporting the commissioning of additional hospital capacity enabled by the Royal Hobart Hospital Redevelopment.