The Launceston General Hospital (LGH) is undergoing significant renovations to improve its heating and cooling systems, addressing longstanding issues that have affected patient care. The Tasmanian Department of Health and Calvary Health Care announced that the Rehabilitation Ward (3R) will be relocated to the Calvary St Luke’s campus. This move is part of a broader plan to enhance the hospital’s infrastructure, with specific attention to patient comfort during the renovation process.
Bridget Archer, the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, emphasized that the Tasmanian government is prioritizing these upgrades. The first eight upgraded patient rooms in Ward 4O are slated for commissioning in November 2025, followed by two additional rooms in early 2026, and the remaining ten by mid-2026. The renovation will occur floor by floor within D Block, necessitating the relocation of patients and staff during each phase of construction.
Minister Archer acknowledged the complexity of executing critical system upgrades within a functioning hospital. She stated, “Delivering these types of critical system upgrades within a working hospital is a highly complex task. As a result, the upgrades are being carefully staged and sequenced to minimize disruption to clinical services and maintain continuity of care.”
To mitigate discomfort while renovations are underway, interim measures have already been introduced. These include the installation of sun-blocking blinds, replacement of window tinting, and window seals. Additionally, LGH will deploy portable air-conditioning units as necessary to ensure the comfort of patients, staff, and visitors.
Internal renovations to install ducted air conditioning in patient rooms are set to commence on October 21, 2025, beginning with Ward 6D. This first phase is expected to be completed by February 2026, with additional work on the remaining three floors to follow in a progressive manner. As each floor is finished, the new systems will be activated, offering immediate improvements in patient care environments.
The long-awaited upgrades were prompted by the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation (ANMF) Tasmanian branch, which criticized the state government for delays in addressing the heating and cooling deficiencies. According to the health department, preparations for the project began on June 5, 2023, starting with the temporary relocation of four parking spaces adjacent to the Allied Health Clinics.
Health Minister Jacquie Petrusma stated that these upgrades are essential for improving temperature control and enhancing the overall comfort for patients and staff. “Our number one priority is the safety and comfort of patients and staff, so it is pleasing to see works now underway on a permanent long-term solution to heating and cooling issues at the LGH,” she noted.
With temperatures in D Block previously reaching uncomfortable levels during the summer, the situation necessitated action despite a previous investment of $4 million in a Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) Chiller Replacement Project. While the installation of ten new chiller units improved cooling in the hospital corridors, patients reported that the cool air did not effectively reach their rooms.
The planned upgrades are expected to include ducting in patient rooms within D Block and the Obstetrics Ward 4O. The health department has outlined that the renovation will be carefully coordinated to minimize disruptions to clinical services, particularly for maternity care. Initial work will include establishing a site compound and conducting detailed condition assessments, followed by external works on the roofs of both D and O Blocks.
“This will be followed by internal works in Ward 4O and D Block to install new pipework and equipment, which will require the relocation of patients, staff, and medical equipment,” Minister Petrusma explained. To facilitate this, the project team is collaborating with LGH staff to develop relocation plans that prioritize safety and reduce disruptions.
Further logistical challenges will arise as a crane is to be installed for lifting equipment and materials onto the roof for subsequent phases of construction. This installation is anticipated to occur in the coming weeks.
While Premier Jeremy Rockliff previously failed to provide a definitive timeline for the completion of these major infrastructure upgrades, he assured that work would commence “immediately.” The situation at LGH has prompted the employment of additional staff, known as “heat nurses” or “float nurses,” to help alleviate the workload and allow for hydration breaks for existing staff.
With these renovations, the Launceston General Hospital aims to establish a more comfortable and conducive environment for patient care, addressing the pressing concerns that have arisen in recent years.
