DELIVERING GREATER HEALTH CARE FOR SOUTHERN TASMANIA

JEREMY ROCKLIFF MP, Premier and Minister for Health

Major health upgrades and developments are underway in Southern Tasmania, as the Tasmanian Liberal Government delivers a record spend of $12.1 billion in health infrastructure and services over the next four years so that all Tasmanians have access to a world-class health system.

The 2023-24 Tasmanian Budget continues our plan to build Tasmania’s future and ensures targeted, careful and considered investments, including $682.9 million secured over the forward estimates for Capital Investment in our Hospitals and Health Infrastructure.

Premier and Minister for Health, Jeremy Rockliff said the Budget builds upon the significant investments we have already made to ensure Tasmanians get the right care, in the right place, at the right time.

“A highlight of this year’s Budget is the allocation of $172.4 million to our 30-year Master plan for the Royal Hobart Hospital Redevelopment.

“More than $163 million has been secured to continue the expanded Stage 2 Redevelopment of the Royal Hobart Hospital and Pharmacy redevelopment, which will see the completion of a further expansion of the Emergency department, a new ICU with space for 12 additional beds, and a new purpose-built pharmacy and sterile pharmaceutical production facility to meet patient demand especially for chemotherapy and increased elective surgery.

“We have seen tremendous improvements to the RHH this year with the first stage of the ED expansion completed, along with a new Cardiology Unit, Sleep Centre, Outpatients Facility and Endoscopy Suite.

“The 2023-24 Budget also includes $6.6 million over two years to build, equip and staff a second Angiography Suite to meet increasing demand and support improved care for patients. Construction for the new suite will commence later this year, for completion in 2024-25.

“Our government has been building up our frontline health workforce since coming to office in 2014, employing more almost 1,400 additional nurses, 390 additional doctors, 310 additional allied health professionals and 220 additional paramedics and dispatch officers. Since 2020 alone, we have increased our health workforce by over 1,600 FTE.

“Because of this increase, and to complement the new and contemporary health infrastructure, we are bringing forward the opening of more beds across our public hospitals. As of 31 January 2023, 129 new beds have been opened at the RHH, and this Budget includes more than $374 million over the forward estimates to ensure we continue to open more beds and keep existing beds open.”

We are also focused on delivering new and upgraded Ambulance Stations to support increased resources at Ambulance Tasmania. The new Bridgewater Station has been completed, and tenders recently closed for our new Glenorchy station. Planning is also continuing for a new station in Oatlands, as part of the Government’s plan to build six new rural stations across the state.

Investment in our rural and community health facilities continues with construction of the $3.5 million Midlands Multipurpose Health Centre upgrade at Oatlands to commence in 2023, and funding of $30 million provided for the next stage of Kingston Community Health Centre over the Budget and forward estimates.

Premier and Minister for Health, Jeremy Rockliff said the 2023-24 Budget clearly demonstrates our commitment to building a health system for the future.

“Every single day, the Tasmanian Liberal Government is investing nearly $8.3 million on average directly into the health system, with every dollar carefully targeted to ensure we can achieve the best outcomes and continue to build the critical health infrastructure Tasmanians deserve,” Premier Rockliff said.

“It is because of our sensible, responsible economic management that allows us to invest so heavily into Tasmania’s health system.

“Under our government, we will continue to build Tasmania’s future and deliver a stronger, safer and more secure health system.”