Michael Ferguson,Minister for Health
The Hodgman Liberal Government welcomes the Morrison Liberal Government's record funding commitment to Tasmania's health system, with a new $25.6 million package to support the North and North-West.
This includes:
- $10 million to redevelop and extend the Kings Meadows Community Health centre to meet increased demand for renal and oral health services. Importantly the redevelopment will increase the number of dialysis bays for chronic patients.
- $10 million for improvements to the acute care facility at the North West Regional Hospital to meet increased demand.
- $4.5 million for new perinatal infant and mental health (mother-baby) services at Launceston General Hospital and the North West Regional Hospital.
- $1 million for the Queenstown Allied Health and Aged Facility.
- $100,000 for two mobile unit health busses supported by Rotary Tasmania and the Royal Flying Doctor Service. This will particularly support young people aged eight to 16 years living in remote and rural areas with access to mental health services.
This comes on top of the Australian Government's $92 million Tasmanian Health Plan, which includes $50,000 for the Launceston Birth Centre. This funding will deliver significant capital improvements for the facility, ensuring the centre is better able to support new mothers and their babies in a comfortable, home-like environment.
The Hodgman Liberal Government is proud to have supported the centre in their search to find a new independent midwife, who is scheduled to start in the coming months, meaning services which were threatened with closure have now been saved.
This is a very positive outcome for families in the North of the state, offering women more birthing options. We will continue to support this valued service and look forward to seeing the expansion and upgrade of the facility.
This $117 million boost to Tasmania's health system is very welcome and the benefits will be felt in all regions.
