The Chief Health Officer of Tasmania’s largest private health insurer, St Lukes Health, has expressed concerns over a recent investment by Calvary Health Care. While welcoming the commitment of $14 million to establish two new modular operating theatres, Luke Cameron emphasized that this solution serves only as a temporary fix for the ongoing capacity issues faced by Northern Tasmania.
Cameron articulated his disappointment that it took a “major infrastructure failure” at Calvary St Luke’s Hospital to prompt this investment. He noted that St Lukes will continue to advocate for long-term infrastructure solutions in the region. Despite the current situation, Cameron confirmed that St Lukes members have not yet experienced significant delays or increased costs due to the closure of existing theatres.
As the sole provider of overnight private acute care in Launceston, Calvary bears a responsibility to meet the healthcare needs of the local community, particularly as a critical backup for the Launceston General Hospital. Cameron stated, “Calvary has an obligation to meet the needs of Northern Tasmanians,” highlighting the importance of reliable healthcare services in the area.
Assessment of Calvary’s Interim Plan
St Lukes has welcomed Calvary’s announcement regarding the investment in modular theatres, acknowledging the effort from Calvary management to address the theatre capacity issues. Cameron noted, “We value the effort from Calvary management since the theatre issues at St Luke’s Hospital were identified.” He also expressed gratitude towards Calvary staff for their dedication to maintaining private healthcare services during this challenging period.
Despite the positive reception of the interim plan, Cameron reiterated the need for ongoing discussions with Calvary to explore their long-term investment strategy for the Launceston region. The management of Calvary has not confirmed whether the permanently closed theatres at St Luke’s will be reinstated, stating that they are currently developing a “future plan.”
The challenges faced by Calvary are indicative of broader issues within the private hospital sector in Tasmania. Cameron pointed out that high construction costs have hindered investments in healthcare infrastructure, which contributed to Calvary’s withdrawal from a proposal to establish a co-located hospital in Launceston.
Monitoring Member Impact and Future Plans
As the primary private health insurer in Tasmania, St Lukes is committed to ensuring that its members receive high-quality care. Cameron mentioned that currently, there is no evidence suggesting that St Lukes members are facing longer wait times for elective surgeries due to the theatre closures. Calvary has assured St Lukes that measures are being taken to minimize any impacts, including extending operating hours and scheduling additional surgeries on weekends.
Addressing concerns about potential cost increases resulting from the temporary move to modular theatres, Cameron indicated that there is no current data suggesting that these changes will lead to higher out-of-pocket expenses for members. He stressed the importance of maintaining a constructive relationship with both Calvary and local clinicians to mitigate any negative impacts on patient care.
Looking ahead, St Lukes is poised to navigate the challenges facing the private hospital sector while advocating for a sustainable healthcare system that meets the needs of Tasmanians. Cameron emphasized the importance of ongoing communication with members regarding their scheduled procedures and waiting lists, encouraging them to reach out to their healthcare providers with any immediate concerns.
St Lukes maintains strong relationships with all hospital providers in the region and has existing contracts with all Tasmanian hospitals. This ensures that members will have access to appropriate care, regardless of ongoing infrastructure challenges at Calvary. As the situation evolves, St Lukes will continue to monitor developments closely and engage with stakeholders to support a robust healthcare system in Northern Tasmania.
