Release of North West Hospitals Masterplan

The Tasmanian Government has released its 20-year vision to transform healthcare in the North West and meet the future needs of the North West community.

The North West Hospitals Masterplan ensures both major hospitals have the capacity and capability to support the increasing demands on our health system for years to come.

Premier, Jeremy Rockliff, said that these upgrades are about securing the best possible health outcomes for North West Tasmania.

“As a Government, we understand the need to invest in not just the healthcare infrastructure we need today, but into the future,” Premier Rockliff said.

“The North West Hospitals Masterplan puts in place a clear and ambitious vision to ensure that the services and care we provide on the North West are world-class.

“Continuing to upgrade and modernise our healthcare infrastructure is a critical part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.”

Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Guy Barnett, said the Masterplan would provide the core infrastructure needed to deliver the best outcomes for patients and support hard-working health professionals.

“The Masterplan has been informed by clinical services and facility planning with key stakeholders, and what we know about future demand, service growth, infrastructure condition, alongside community consultation,” Minister Barnett said.

“Under the Masterplan, the North West Regional Hospital will continue to be the main provider of acute general hospital services across the region.

“The Mersey will continue to provide inpatient and outreach subacute services, emergency care and day surgery services, with a focus on optimising service provision to the local population of North West Tasmania.

“Implementation of the $1.4 billion Masterplan has been aligned to clinical priorities at each hospital and as part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.

“This is an investment in the health of the North West and we will work with the Federal Government to secure a funding partnership for these critical projects, just as they have invested in other states.”

Stage One of the Masterplan at the NWRH will deliver:

• a new, purpose-built Medical Inpatient building with a medical ward, critical clinical diagnostics, renal/dialysis, lung function lab, and additional parking;
• a purpose-built $40 million Mental Health Precinct;
• 630 additional car parks;
• A new link bridge to connect new developments, such as the new medical inpatient building and the Mental Health Precinct, to the main hospital campus;
• improvements to the Emergency Department entry and ambulance drop off zone;
• upgrades to the main hospital entry; and
• construction of a new transit lounge to provide a comfortable waiting area for visitors and patients.

The current Outpatients and Theatres Project at the MCH will continue in line with the Tasmanian Government’s $41 million commitment to provide additional endoscopy, day surgery and theatre suites.

The Masterplan has also identified the existing Parkside Precinct at Burnie will not meet requirements for delivering health services in the longer term. An Accommodation Strategy is being developed to support the staged relocation of services and staff away from this site.

The North West Hospitals Masterplan is available on the Department of Health website: www.health.tas.gov.au/priority-projects