Michael Ferguson,Minister for Health
The Hodgman Liberal Government is delivering $132 million in the 2019-20 State Budget to progressively open and staff new beds at the Royal Hobart Hospital, following the completion of Stage 1 of the Redevelopment and refurbishment to existing areas.
This Budget is about maintaining the momentum and investing for growth in essential services.
The funding will see more than 100 new beds open at the RHH over the next four years, delivering a huge long-term capacity boost for acute health services for the entire state.
In addition to this funding for staff and services, we are also investing in the vital health infrastructure we need to deliver additional services. This includes $90.6 million to build a bigger ED and a bigger ICU, with the space for 10 new intensive care beds, and upgrade wards, over three years.
The expanded ED will include a separate mental health area for the first time, as well as a separate area for paediatric treatment. This means children and adults will be treated in more appropriate areas within the ED. Any changes will, of course, be made in close consultation with clinical leaders.
We will continue to listen to the experts as we deliver our record investment into health.
It is estimated more than 460 new full-time equivalent nurses, doctors and health professionals will be recruited to staff the additional beds opening over the next four years, including:
- Nearly 300 FTE nurses
- 60 FTE doctors
- 40 FTE allied health professionals
