$5.2m Smithton Hospital Redevelopment Open

Premier David Bartlett and Health Minister Lara Giddings today opened a $5.2 million redevelopment of the Smithton District Hospital and Community Health Centre.

David Bartlett, MP
Premier

Lara Giddings, MP
Minister for Health

Premier David Bartlett and Health Minister Lara Giddings today opened a $5.2 million redevelopment of the Smithton District Hospital and Community Health Centre.

Mr Bartlett said the redevelopment would allow comprehensive, accessible and integrated health services to be delivered to the Circular Head region.

“This is an excellent outcome for local residents and further good news for health services in the North West,” Mr Bartlett said.

“The Tasmanian Government, in partnership with the Commonwealth and the community, has now invested over $14 million in the past two years into health and aged care services in the Circular Head region.

“This includes the $8 million aged care home in Smithton - Emmerton Park - which opened in April last year.

“The new hospital will cater for the needs of the whole community by bringing together a number of important services, including Oral Health and Child Health and Parenting Services.

“I am committed to leading a government for all Tasmanians and this significant investment is part of a major upgrade and modernisation of regional health facilities and infrastructure around the State,” Mr Bartlett said.

Ms Giddings said the redevelopment was crucial to the integration of local health services in line with Tasmania’s Health Plan.

“This is exactly what the Health Plan is about – providing a full range of sustainable services locally where possible to cater for the growing needs of our ageing population and to boost primary and preventative health services,” Ms Giddings said.

“People’s medical needs are often complex, so by integrating services we increase accessibility and improve health outcomes.

“Four additional consulting rooms for visiting services like Physiotherapy, Allied Health and Mental Health have been created as well as a spacious meeting facility for education and community use.

“The redevelopment has also included upgrading existing in-patient facilities and relocating 22 aged care beds to Emmerton Park, to which the State Government contributed $1 million.

“I congratulate the project team including Architects Philp Lighton, Stubbs Construction and numerous sub-contractors for their professionalism and for minimising disruption to patients during construction.

“I would also like to commend staff, patients and the community for their flexibility, support and patience during the redevelopment.

“Circular Head has for a long time been one of the leaders in promoting better health for the local community, with initiatives like the Sustainable Families Project showing the way for other areas of the State.

“I look forward to the redeveloped hospital and the newly integrated health services building on that proud record,” Ms Giddings said.

Source : Tasmania Government