PDF printable version of Agreement for Management of Mersey Community Hospital Signed (PDF 18 KB)
28 August 2008
The Australian Government and the Tasmanian Government have signed an agreement that provides for the Tasmanian Government to manage and operate the Mersey Community Hospital from 1 September 2008.
This arrangement will ensure the continuation of current services, better integration with other Tasmanian health care services, and minimal disruption to staff and the community.
All current staff will be offered continuing employment on their existing terms and conditions.
The two governments are keen to ensure that we continue to build on the strengthened management arrangements, recent equipment purchases and refurbishment.
In recent months the Australian Government has provided $1.1 million for equipment and refurbishments, which has assisted staff to continue to provide effective and safe management of patients at the hospital.
Additionally, a well-equipped High Dependency Unit is now fully functional at the hospital, meeting the health care needs of patients including those suffering from heart attack, stroke, severe asthma and other conditions requiring specialist care and monitoring.
As part of the Australian Government’s ongoing commitment to the Mersey community, up to $180 million will be provided over three years to Tasmania for the management of the hospital. This funding will ensure that current services are maintained.
Services which will continue at the Mersey Community Hospital include a High Dependency Unit, a 24-hour emergency service, medical and surgical services (both day surgery and in patient), low-risk obstetric services, low-risk inpatient paediatrics, and low complexity inpatient acute medical services.
The Australian Government funding will also allow for an expansion of the range of services, potentially including renal dialysis, more elective surgery, a regional rehabilitation unit for the North West, and transition care for older patients.
A dedicated general manager will be employed at the hospital to ensure continued local management. The hospital will also be integrated into the broader North West Public Sector Health Service Network, and employ a clinical director, finance director and human resource manager.
The Tasmanian Government will establish a North West community regional advisory body which will allow consumers and key stakeholders to have input into the direction and development of health services in their community.
Both the Australian and Tasmanian governments remain committed to working together on improving health care services for people in the North West region of Tasmania.
Media contact only: Sean Kelly - 0417 108 362
For all other enquiries, contact Ms Roxon's office (02) 6277 7220
To view PDF (Portable Document Format) documents, you will need to have a PDF reader installed on your computer. The Adobe Acrobat Reader is available free of charge from Adobe's website.
