A Rebecca White Labor Government will provide more beds and reduce the elective surgery waiting list for patients in northern Tasmania.
Today we are joined by Dr Jerome Muir Wilson who has created an impressive, modern health facility at the Launceston Health Hub, which incorporates pathology, general practice and the Launceston Urgent Care Clinic.
As a health clinician close to the LGH, Dr Muir Wilson experiences the flow-on pressure facing the hospital's emergency department and sees what happens to patients who are waiting too long for elective surgery.
Labor will work with Dr Muir Wilson to urgently expand the capacity of Tasmania's health system in northern Tasmania.
Quotes attributable to Labor Leader Rebecca White:
After 10 years of the Liberals, the Launceston General Hospital has the worst bed block in the country.
Labor will take immediate action to provide more beds and reduce waiting lists.
We will assist the Launceston Health Hub to expand its facilities to provide 20 overnight public patient beds, which will be leased and operated by the LGH.
The builders are already onsite and this will be delivered in the first half of 2025, taking pressure off the LGH.
We know that elective surgery has blown out under 10 years of the Liberals and that is why we will also provide a $70 million, 10-year no-interest loan for the construction of an elective surgery centre. The development application for this project is ready to be lodged with the City of Launceston. This means the new centre can be delivered and start treating public patients by the end of 2026.
A Labor Government will take immediate action to start improving Tasmania's health system.
Quotes attributable to Anita Dow:
The Liberals have had 10 years to come up with a plan to alleviate pressure on the LGH - including securing a private co-located hospital - but once again they have failed to deliver.
After Calvary put their plans for a co-located hospital on ice, it's more important than ever we work to bring the project back to life.
That's why a Labor Government will work constructively to with stakeholders to see the co-location project delivered.
In the first 100 days of a Labor Government, we will convene a roundtable with private health providers, unions and key stakeholders to discuss the future of healthcare across the North, North West and West Coasts to ensure we work together to provide better services.
Fast facts:
- 20 new beds for LGH patients - delivered by mid-2025 and staffed by the LGH.
- New elective surgery centre - delivered and treating public and private patients by end of 2026.
Rebecca White MP
Tasmanian Labor Leader
Anita Dow MP
Shadow Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing
