The Australian Medical Association is calling for immediate talks on using freed-up defence land to build a new Royal Hobart Hospital.
AMA Tasmania president Michael Lumsden-Steel said the 31-hectare Derwent Barracks site at Dowsing Point should be considered as part of urgent planning for a replacement hospital.
“We’re not saying that’s the preferred location, but we need to be ready with a plan to use land that’s available,” he said.
Dr Lumsden-Steel wants a cross-party working group established now to develop a framework for the project.
He said finalising a location alone could take five to seven years, followed by tendering, workforce training and construction.
“Those discussions need to start today,” he said.
Health Minister Bridget Archer said the government had already delivered $520 million in upgrades to the Royal Hobart Hospital.
“We are investing a further $187 million on upgrades at the RHH that will ensure Tasmanians continue to receive the health care they expect and deserve,” she said.
“We are also committed to delivering more subacute services at the St John’s Park precinct.”
But Dr Lumsden-Steel said a new hospital was becoming increasingly urgent.
He said existing facilities were being stretched thin, including the K-Block that opened in 2020.
“The K-Block was touted as being the solution … but it’s delivered 70 per cent less than what was needed due to budget constraints,” he said.
“It’s severely disrupted care that we’re providing. We can’t wait as our infrastructure ages.”
Labor leader Josh Willie said he welcomed discussions of “big ideas”, including using defence land for a hospital.
“There’s a long way to go in terms of building a new hospital,” he said.
“We won’t shy away from big ideas and big discussions. That’s what we should be doing, aspiring as a state.”
