Senator Helen Polley attended the first phase of the $98 million re-development of the Launceston General Hospital on Wednesday, 27 January 2010.
The first major contract for the re-development is the construction of a $3.8 million bunker to house a third linear accelerator at the Holman Clinic Cancer centre. The start of the earthworks was witnessed by numerous politicians and executive staff from the Launceston General Hospital, including Mr. Grant Smith, Manager of the Holman Clinic (pictured here with Senator Polley).
The works will include the bunker, treatment and planning areas as well as a physics area to support the additional machine and a patient lounge. The extensions are expected to increase the capacity of the Holman Clinic by more than one third.
Other works to be carried out will include a new Emergency Department, Acute Medical Unit and a new Integrated Care Centre. A much need car park will also be built.
The project will also create at least 19 new positions including nine radiation therapists, a physicist, three registrars, radiation oncology nurse, social worker, dietician engineer and three administrative assistants.
The project is funded by $63.7 million in Commonwealth funds, $30 million from the State Government and $4.5 million from the University of Tasmania.
