Works to deliver a state-of-the-art hospital pharmacy at the Royal Hobart Hospital are progressing well, with stage one of the project expected to be completed by early next year.
The $22 million Royal Hobart Hospital Pharmacy Redevelopment Project will deliver an expanded pharmacy – including new production and dispensing facilities – that meets the growing demands for pharmaceutical services at the RHH and around the State.
The project works are now 30 per cent complete with framing of walls and installation of underlying electrical, data, plumbing, heating and cooling services to support delivery of pharmacy services completed.
Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, Guy Barnett, said the world-class facilities would enhance delivery of clinical services across the State and help to attract and retain more pharmacists.
"The Royal Hobart Hospital Pharmacy plays a vital role in delivering health care to inpatients and outpatients and supporting local and statewide pharmacy services," said Minister Barnett.
"Redevelopment of the pharmacy with new and expanded pharmaceutical dispensing and manufacturing capabilities will enhance the support our pharmacy services provide to speciality areas across the wider hospital, including cancer, surgical and adult and neonatal intensive care services.
"Importantly, the new facilities will also benefit pharmacy operations across Tasmania and support recruitment and retention by providing improved staff support areas and dedicated facilities for clinical research, education and clinical trials.
"Our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future is all about taking more action right now on issues affecting Tasmanians, like health."
Key facilities to be delivered through the redevelopment include:
- Areas for expanded dispensing service for inpatients and outpatients.
- New sterile drug manufacturing areas.
- Facilities to support medication management and pharmaceutical restocking services throughout the RHH and drug supply to outpatient centres.
- Dedicated space for clinical research, education, and clinical trials.
- Facilities and meeting rooms to support local and Statewide pharmacy administration.
The expanded RHH Pharmacy will also significantly increase the production of highly complex medicines including IV chemotherapy for patients being treated for cancer.
The specialist sterile environment will also allow the production of food for our most vulnerable patients such as premature babies, who are sometimes born too young or too small to be given milk or formula.
The expanded pharmacy will allow the RHH to provide their first nutrition from custom-made nutrition fluids made onsite.
The Jack Jumper Ant Venom Immune Therapy program will also be co-located with the new pharmacy and receive new production facilities.
Construction has been carefully managed to ensure services can continue to be delivered throughout the construction period.
Hutchinson Builders is delivering the $22 million project, which is expected to be completed by mid-2025.
