Archbishop Tony blesses hospital upgrades

By Wendy Shaw

Archbishop Tony Ireland blessed new Calvary infrastructure projects at either end of the state earlier this month.

On 2 June Archbishop Tony blessed the renovated maternity ward at Calvary Lenah Valley Hospital, marking the end of a $2m improvement project.

The new and upgraded facilities include a special care nursery and a fifth birthing suite to allow for 900 births a year.

The following day, the Archbishop blessed two new modular operating theatres and associated renovations at Calvary St Vincent’s Hospital in Launceston.

The work restores surgical capacity following the closure of three theatres at Calvary St Luke’s Hospital in September, Calvary said in a statement.

 At Lenah Valley, Archbishop Tony described the maternity spaces as a place of service to the smallest of patients who will never remember them.

“These maternity wards are a place where life is treasured and promoted in its fragility,” he said.

“The big people bend to hold the small. The strong tend to the weak and fragile. And, all of us know that we cannot control everything.

“Thus, we kneel in prayer in moments of thanks, praise, intercession and grief. We ask the Lord to bless these newly renovated wards and all who will come here.

“May all who receive the gift of life in this place know that the Lord has done and is doing great things here and Holy is his name.”

In Launceston, Archbishop Tony said the new theatres would be a boon for those seeking healing, treatment, reassurance and hope.

“Here surgeons, nurses, anaesthetists, technicians, cleaners, caterers, administrators and allied health staff will work together in a remarkable collaboration of care,” he said.

“Before you in every procedure is not simply a clinical task but a human person—often anxious, vulnerable and placing their trust in others, in you.”

Archbishop Tony said that intelligence, skill, knowledge and healing are gifts that ultimately come from God.

“These new theatres will undoubtedly bring greater efficiency and improved care,” he said.

“But the true measure of this place will always be the spirit in which people are received and treated within it.

“So, may the Lord bless all who enter here, sustaining them in moments of anxiety, strengthening them in times of trial, and granting wisdom, gentleness and peace to all who serve in this place.”

Calvary’s director of mission, Tony Brennan, said both events recognised the work from Calvary staff who had sought to improve access to care in both Northern and Southern Tasmania.

“They honour the work we do in ‘Being for others’ and also recognise the legacy of the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary in Tasmania,” he said.

“Our thanks extend to all staff, clinicians, project teams and partners whose dedication and collaboration made these projects possible.”