Funds lock up Mersey future

$35m for hospital upgrade

THE long-term future of the Mersey Community Hospital has been cemented with the allocation of $35 million to upgrade the facility now it is back in State Government hands.

The $35 million was part of a $62.7 million spend on hospital and rural health infrastructure in this year’s Budget, which included a new $3 million ambulance station at Campbell Town, a $600,000 upgrade of King Island’s hospital and the building of a $2.2 million dedicated nurse training facility in Burnie.

The ambulance station will be built on a greenfields site at the southern end of Campbell Town and include accommodation for relieving paramedics.

The $730 million sale deal between the federal and state governments for the Mersey is due to be completed by June 30.

Health Minister Michael Ferguson said the allocation of $35 million to upgrade the hospital should show the Latrobe community the State Government was committed to the facility for the long term.

He said the Mersey needed to be considered in the same breath as Launceston and Hobart.

“I want the Mersey to be considered as just one of four major hospitals in Tasmania,” Mr Ferguson said.

“Overall, the hospital is tired and needs more than just a coat of paint.”

The upgrade will begin in 2019-2020 and continue the year after.

Another $1.4 million has been set aside for more urgent works this financial year.

While the Mersey is the state’s elective surgery hub, the services it provides will be expanded.

From next financial year, the hospital will also boast increased access to subacute services such as rehabilitation, pain management, palliative and geriatric care.

“The pain management service is particularly important with patients in the NorthWest not having good access to the specialised pain clinic in Hobart,” Mr Ferguson said.

There will also be increased access to specialist care through more outpatient clinics.