Medical unions worried over TAS government opting for cheaper option in hospital redevelopment
Medical unions are worried a much-needed upgrade of the Royal Hobart Hospital's emergency department won't deliver enough new beds and services. Originally estimated to cost just shy of $150 million, the budget for the second stage redevelopment has been reduced to $130 million.
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00:00The Royal Hobart Hospital's Emergency Department was designed to treat 45,000 people a year.
00:08But with 75,000 presentations in the last 12 months, a two-stage expansion is underway.
00:14The Emergency Department is 25 plus years old. It doesn't meet the standards that are required.
00:20Stage 2 of the Emergency Department development will deliver a dedicated paediatric treatment and waiting area,
00:27a new resuscitation zone and more treatment beds.
00:31The Government budgeted $149 million for the works,
00:35but the Health Department says it's chosen a $130 million option instead.
00:41There are options provided. We have chosen the $130 million option,
00:45and that is the one we have funded and are committed to.
00:48Health unions say they're worried the development will deliver fewer beds than promised.
00:53What we need to do is have appropriate points of care, which is more beds, not chairs,
00:58for patients that are coming in because they're sick.
01:00They're not coming in here to sit on a chair and do sudoku. They're sick. They need to be in beds.
01:04We will deliver the treatment points required for the public, and we will deliver it within the current budget.
01:11Already angry over a directive to review whether Health Department vacancies need to be filled,
01:16unions are demanding answers over the Master Plan,
01:19and say they're on the lookout for cuts in September's State Budget.
01:23We want to meet with the Health Minister next week to ask him to please explain
01:27what's happened to the Royal Harbour Hospital redevelopment.
01:29Demanding an Emergency Department that will meet current and future needs.