Progress on heating and cooling upgrades at the Launceston General Hospital

Another important milestone has been reached as the Tasmanian Government continues to fix the longstanding heating and cooling issues at the Launceston General Hospital (LGH).

An agreement has now been signed between the Department of Health and Calvary Health Care to enable the relocation of the Rehabilitation Ward (3R) from the LGH to the Calvary St Lukes campus in Launceston.

Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Bridget Archer said the safety and comfort of patients and staff at our hospitals is a top priority.

“We are getting on with the job of fixing these longstanding heating and cooling issues,” Minister Archer said.  

“Heating, Ventilation and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) works on site at the LGH have been underway since June, with works on the Obstetrics Ward (4O) progressing first.

“Works on this ward to install ducted air conditioning are being delivered progressively room by room to minimise the impact on the ward and maintain service delivery.”

The first eight upgraded patient rooms on Ward 4O will be commissioned in November 2025, with two more patient rooms due to be completed in early 2026 and the remaining 10 patient rooms by mid-2026.

Works inside D Block will be delivered on a floor-by-floor basis. Due to the disruptive nature of the works, this requires patients, staff and equipment to be relocated before work on each floor can commence.

Minister Archer said with the new agreement signed, the LGH Rehabilitation Ward will temporarily relocate to the Calvary St Lukes campus. The vacated ward at the LGH will be used as a temporary home for other wards in D Block to operate from while works are delivered.

“Delivering these types of critical system upgrades within a working hospital is a highly complex task,” Minister Archer said.

“As a result, the upgrades are being carefully staged and sequenced to minimise disruption to clinical services and maintain continuity of care.

“While works progress over the warmer months, interim measures have already been implemented, including the installation of sun-blocking blinds, and the replacement of window tinting and window seals.

“The LGH will also continue to deploy portable air-conditioning units as required to improve patient, staff, and visitor comfort.”

Internal works to install ducted air conditioning in D Block patient rooms is scheduled to start on 21 October 2025, beginning in Ward 6D.

Works in Ward 6D are expected to be completed in February 2026, with the remaining three floors in D Block to follow progressively.

As works on each floor are completed, the new system will be commissioned, and the benefits will be felt immediately in those areas.

Public updates will continue to be provided throughout the delivery of this major project.