Upgrades at the Royal Hobart Hospital (RHH) are delivering vital improvements that will benefit generations to come as part of the Rockliff Liberal Government’s $1 billion investment into critical upgrades to health infrastructure over the next 10 years.
Touring the RHH today, Premier and Minister for Health, Jeremy Rockliff has announced that the first of a two-stage Emergency Department expansion is now complete, along with the fit out of the cardiology ward in its new location and newly refurbished endoscopy facilities.
Premier Rockliff said the RHH Masterplan is part of the Tasmanian Government’s long-term vision to deliver health infrastructure upgrades in every region of the State to build a better health system for all Tasmanians.
“Our Government’s positive plan includes to supersize and modernise the RHH Emergency Department will support current and projected future demand,” Premier Rockliff said.
“The completion of the first stage has delivered a new $10 million purpose-built short stay unit adding another 28 bed spaces that will improve operational efficiency, infection control, and patient privacy.
“The unit will open to patients in the coming weeks and will deliver a 34 per cent boost to our capacity, increasing capacity in the RHH emergency department to 82 beds, helping to meet the ever-growing demand for emergency care in southern Tasmania. The second stage of the expansion is expected to be completed by 2026.
“In addition to expanding our ED, Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Services will relocate to a new $10.7 million 38-bed ward in J-Block that will support the future growth of cardiology services and result in a doubling of capacity in the Critical Care Unit.
“The ward will also host a 3-bed overnight sleep centre which will offer investigation, management and care for patients with sleep disorders or chronic ventilation in Southern Tasmania.
“Finally, the first stage of refurbishing the Endoscopy Unit in A-Block has been completed with two endoscopy procedure rooms, a reprocessing room, patient recovery area and support spaces – the unit has been boosted by state-of-the-art equipment, including new digital theatre technology.
"Further works to upgrade the Endoscopy Unit are underway and once completed later this year will see capacity boosted by up to 25 per cent to support additional capacity to deliver endoscopies at the RHH.”
In the coming years, Stage 2 of the Masterplan will also deliver an expanded Intensive Care Unit, a fit-for-purpose Older Person’s Unit and other refurbished facilities in A-Block and J-Block.
By investing to implement the RHH Masterplan through a carefully staged program of capital works, delivery of the redeveloped RHH will ensure we are well placed to meet future demand and secure Tasmania’s future.