Wed Sep 25 03:33:20 UTC 2024: ## Federal Government Funds $120 Million Northern Heart Centre in Launceston
**Launceston, Tasmania** – The federal government has announced full funding for a $120 million Northern Heart Centre in Launceston, ending months of uncertainty about the project’s future. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, during a visit to Tasmania on Wednesday, announced the commitment alongside Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff.
The center, which is part of the Launceston General Hospital redevelopment, will be completed by 2029 and will include a new coronary care unit, two cardiac catheterisation labs, and diagnostic testing facilities. It is intended to address the high rates of cardiovascular disease in northern Tasmania, which currently requires patients to travel to the mainland for specialized heart care.
“People in northern Tasmania should not have to cross the Bass Strait to get the healthcare they deserve,” stated Prime Minister Albanese.
The announcement comes as a relief for the Tasmanian government, which had included the heart center in its election promises but had made its funding contingent on federal support. The project had faced uncertainty after the state budget revealed it was dependent on federal funding.
The Northern Heart Centre is expected to alleviate pressure on the Launceston General Hospital’s busy emergency department, which has been grappling with staffing shortages. The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) has welcomed the funding, highlighting the need to address the high rates of chronic disease burden in Tasmania, particularly in the north.
The Australian Medical Association Tasmania (AMA Tasmania) has also expressed strong support for the project, stating it will “make a profound difference to the health of Tasmanians.” The organization had previously stressed the urgent need for a Northern Heart Centre due to the high rates of cardiovascular disease in the state.
While welcoming the funding, the opposition Labor party has called for the project to be delivered on time and within budget. Shadow Health Minister Ella Haddad expressed concerns about the Liberal government’s ability to deliver on the project, noting their failure to allocate funds for it in the state budget.
The announcement marks a significant step towards improving access to specialized heart care in northern Tasmania. The center is expected to save lives and enhance the overall health of the region.
First Piper 