LABOR WILL HELP DELIVER A NEW HOSPICE IN LAUNCESTON

April 29, 2022

THE HON MARK BUTLER MP 
SHADOW MINISTER FOR HEALTH AND AGEING 
MEMBER FOR HINDMARSH 

  

SENATOR HELEN POLLEY 

SENATOR FOR TASMANIA 

  

ROSS HART   
FEDERAL LABOR CANDIDATE FOR BASS 

  

LABOR WILL HELP DELIVER A NEW HOSPICE IN LAUNCESTON 

An Albanese Labor Government will help deliver a new hospice in the Launceston General Hospital Precinct and improve palliative care for Northern Tasmanians.  

  

Labor will provide a $5 million down payment to kickstart capital works which will begin once an agreed approach is settled between stakeholders.  

  

This investment demonstrates our commitment to this process of consultation and to delivering the hospice that the community has been demanding for over a decade.  

  

These consultation efforts will include the local community, local health providers, Friends of Northern Hospice and the State Government to ensure the delivery of this much needed facility in Northern Tasmania.  

  

Too many tragic stories have highlighted the urgent need to improve palliative care in Northern Tasmania. This commitment will motivate all concerned stakeholders to come to the table and start delivering on this much-needed facility.  

  

Sadly, the Morrison Government has dragged its feet for almost a decade and failed to deliver the palliative care that Northern Tasmanians deserve.  

  

That is why Labor will step up and work cooperatively with the Tasmanian Government to progress and deliver this hospice after years of inaction. 

  

This initial investment for a new hospice in Launceston builds on a series of commitments Labor has already made to help improve health care in Northern Tasmania. 

  

Labor’s plan includes: 

  

• A new bulk-billed urgent care clinic for Launceston to relieve pressure on the LGH’s emergency department.
• $4 million for the Clifford Craig Research hub, based at the LGH, to boost research which will lead to improved health outcomes for Northern Tasmanians.
• $2.8 million to help deliver the new Community Care Tasmania Training and Respite Centre in Launceston.
• A new Shepherd Centre providing early intervention care for hearing impaired children in Launceston.
• $15 million to build a new Tasmanian home for the Royal Flying Doctor Service at Launceston Airport.
• Restoring affordable telehealth psychiatric consultations for people living in Northern Tasmania, reversing Scott Morrison’s damaging Medicare cut. 

  

Attributable to Mark Butler 

  

“Northern Tasmanians deserve dignified, high quality hospice and palliative care. 

  

“Meeting with the Friends of Northern Hospice last year I heard the need for this care and now I’m acting to ensure Labor delivers this much needed hospice.  

  

“Labor will always protect and strengthen Medicare services.” 

  

Attributable to Ross Hart 

  

“This is an important commitment that will ensure Northern Tasmanians finally have the palliative care they deserve. 

 
“I have been a strong supporter of a hospice for Launceston over a number of years and I’m proud Labor will commit funding to deliver one. 

  

“I pay tribute to the Friends of Northern Hospice who have been tireless supporters of this project and improving palliative care in Launceston. 

  

“This commitment again shows Labor is the only party with a serious, comprehensive plan to improve healthcare in northern Tasmania.” 

 

Attributable to Helen Polley 

 

“The people of Northern Tasmania deserve the right to access a palliative care bed at that end of life phase.” 

 

FRIDAY, 29 APRIL 2022