The Australian Government has announced plans to invest A$120m ($82.3m) for the development of the Northern Heart Centre in Launceston, Tasmania.

This initiative is part of the Launceston General Hospital master plan and aims to improve cardiac care services for residents of northern Tasmania.

The Northern Heart Centre is planned to include a coronary care unit featuring 16 inpatient cardiac ward beds and seven coronary care unit beds.

These facilities will be strategically co-located with the hospital's intensive care unit (ICU), providing streamlined patient care.

The new centre will also house two cardiac catheterisation laboratories equipped with recovery and holding bays, which will allow patients to bypass the emergency department for certain procedures.

The Northern Heart Centre aims to relieve pressure on Launceston General Hospital by freeing up beds and easing the burden on the emergency department.

Its development is currently due to be completed in 2029.

Australia Health and Aged Care Minister Mark Butler said: “People in Launceston and right across northern Tasmania will benefit from a new dedicated Northern Heart Centre, funded by the Albanese government.

“The Northern Heart Centre will mean Tasmanians with heart disease will get the best possible care, while also helping to free up beds at the Launceston General Hospital and take pressure off its emergency department.

“Nearly 45,000 Tasmanians have visited a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic and received free, urgent care, with Tasmanians also benefitting from the largest increase to GP bulk billing in the country.”

The investment in the Northern Heart Centre is the latest in a series of efforts by the Australian government to enhance healthcare services in Tasmania.

These include the establishment of four Medicare Urgent Care Clinics, an A$20m commitment to the Launceston Hospice and an A$28m investment in services to support older Tasmanians in receiving care outside of hospitals.