End of an era for Anne O’Byrne site

Late last month a development application was lodged to move forward with the demolition of the Anne O’Byrne Building – first constructed in the 1960s – in order to make way for Calvary Healthcare’s new private co-located hospital.

August

Plans for a new private hospital co-located with the Launceston General continue to progress.

Earlier this year it was announced that an agreement had been reached between the Tasmanian Government and Calvary Healthcare to change the location of the co-located development.

Calvary’s private hospital will now be built on the existing Anne O’Byrne site, on the corner of Howick and Charles streets, Launceston.

The original site identified for the hospital – 52 Frankland Street – will now become home of a new Mental Health Precinct, which will be built as part of the government’s 10-year, $580 million LGH Masterplan.

Late last month a development application was lodged to demolish the Anne O’Byrne Building – first constructed in the 1960s – to make way for the new private hospital.

Once built, it will accommodate 128 in-patient beds, 40-day beds, and 10 operating theatres, as well as two cardiac catheterisation labs and two procedure rooms.

Services will include general medical and surgical treatment, and specialist services including gastrointestinal, cardiology, oncology, gynaecology, radiology, pathology, palliative care, and mental health.

Additionally, the hospital’s design includes provision for an extended care/GP service.

The co-located service, which is due to be completed in 2026, is expected to help reduce demand pressures on the LGH.

The LGH masterplan is being completed in four stages over the next decade, with stage 1 completed late last year.

This included moving services from the Anne O’Byrne Building to a new $11 million Education and Learning Hub, located opposite the LGH on the corner of Howick and Charles streets.

Anne O’Byrne AM was a founding member of the Clifford Craig Foundation and served on a number of health, women’s and political boards between the 1960s until 1994.

The name and recognition of Anne O'Byrne has not been lost from the LGH precinct.

The tunapri mapali building – which means “lots of knowledge” in palawa kani – is now home to the Anne O’Byrne Education Centre and administrative facilities.

Under the masterplan the office of the Clifford Craig Foundation, currently on level 5 of the LGH, will also be moved to the Northern Integrated Care Unit with the establishment of a new Research and Innovation Centre.