The Commonwealth Government will provide immediate funding of more than $1 million to replace unreliable and non-functioning equipment at the Mersey Community Hospital in Tasmania.

This funding will enable the hospital to buy key items of equipment identified as urgent or high priority for replacement. It will include four critical items including laparascopic imaging equipment, operating microscopes, a sterilizer and electrosurgical generators.

During recent visits to the hospital by departmental officials, staff members expressed concerns over the condition of some essential equipment, which is more than 15 years old and unreliable or irreparable.

The new equipment will enable the hospital to operate safely and effectively after it transfers to Commonwealth control on 1 November and ensure that it can maintain services which are currently at risk, such as surgery.

The Government will restore a high dependency unit at the hospital soon after 1 November 2007 as a first step to re-establishing an intensive care unit as soon as possible. The unit will comply with Australian standards on work practices, staffing, design, equipment and operational requirements.

An announcement will shortly be made in relation to the interim Chief Executive Officer of the hospital for the period from 1 November until the hospital's Community Trust is established.

A full stocktake of the hospital assets (infrastructure and medical equipment) will be undertaken before 1 November 2007.

health.au