Government under fire over Hobart Private lease

THE State Government has been accused of missing the deadline for announcing the operator of the Hobart Private Hospital when the current lease expires.

In parliament yesterday, Labor leader Rebecca White said “chaos and dysfunction” within the Government were brewing up yet another health disaster.

“You assured Tasmanians an announcement would be made before August. Premier we’re now in August and the deadline has been pushed out by your Government,” she said.

“Why have you missed your own deadline?”

Mr Hodgman told parliament the lease on the Hobart Private Hospital expires in December and the tender process was underway.

He said there had been strong interest, which was a sign of confidence in the city and the heath system. But the process would not be rushed.

“The Government will not rush to secure a good outcome,” he said.

“The Government is committed to maximise the availability of private health services in this state, to make sure that they take as much pressure as possible off the public system.”

Mr Hodgman said there would be an open and competitive tender process for the future operator of the Hobart Private.

A spokesman for current operator Healthscope told the

Mercury this morning that it was “continuing to engage actively with the Tasmanian Government’s tender process”.

In an email sent to staff yesterday, hospital general manager Kathryn Berry said she understood the tender process had “created uncertainty” among staff.

“We have submitted what we believe is a compelling proposal to extend our lease beyond December this year,” the email reads.

“I want to assure you that all parties involved are mindful of the need to resolve this as soon as possible.”