AMA WELCOMES GOVERNMENT’S MASTER PLAN FOR THE ROYAL HOBART HOSPITAL

“Today’s announcement is a positive step forward, and we commend the government on the approach they have taken to listening to doctors, health professionals and the community on what is required for the next steps in the redevelopment of the RHH.

“We welcome the fact government has completed and delivered on its commitment to release the masterplan to the community and further, has seen fit to fund $91 million to ensure stage two can commence; this is good news for health in Tasmania.

“The RHH is the state’s only tertiary referral hospital where the sickest patients are cared for, and it is crucial that its infrastructure is world class.

“The AMA has taken a leadership role in trying to ensure that the ultimate redevelopment at the RHH is able to incorporate the correct health services in the correct locations to optimise the delivery of healthcare to all Tasmanians.

“We have engaged constructively in the government’s consultation processes, and we are largely satisfied with the outcome. A number of our suggestions have been incorporated into the masterplan.

“Now we have a masterplan, it is critical that the timeframes for the delivery of this development, which includes the Repat, are announced, particularly, stages two and three, both of which are urgent. However, the latter stages of the masterplan mustn’t remain just a thirty-year vision.”

Dr Davis said “the AMA notes that the funding announced today would enable work to commence on stage two; however, it does not complete stage two, and at this time, stage three is unfunded with no timeline for works to begin.

“While stage two is an improvement for mental health patients, stage three is critical to enable optimal patient care.

“We accept the masterplan and agree that it provides a way forward; however, it is a thirty-year plan.

“While we haven’t got everything, we believe the community needs, we are satisfied that there is a way forward. We now need to work together to get the funding to enable all of stage two and three to occur within the next three to five years.

“Though we will continue to do all we can to lobby for federal government funding, particularly in the lead up to the federal election, to enable the subsequent stages to progress. We believe that the state government should also look at other forms of funding, which could include deficit funding of the further stages of the redevelopment to ensure that these stages come online within the next ten years. Thirty years is far too long for Tasmanians to wait to have a completed RHH.

“We reiterate, that what has been announced today without a doubt is a positive for Tasmania and for that, the government should be congratulated.”

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT:
Dr John Davis 0488 142 033 – PRESIDENT AMA TASMANIA
Lara Giddings 0400417160 – CEO AMA TASMANIA