Expressions of Interest to guide service delivery at SCUH

Expressions of interest from health service providers will be sought for the operation of the Sunshine Coast University Public Hospital (SCUH), which is now under construction and due to enter service at Kawana in 2016.

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said the decision, which guaranteed hundreds of free new public hospital beds in a tertiary health facility serving the whole Sunshine Coast community, followed an analysis of alternative modes of delivery compiled by accountancy firm KPMG.

“SCUH is a brand-new facility, the first hospital to inaugurate tertiary health service delivery in a large and fast growing catchment anywhere in Australia for 20 years or more,” Mr Springborg said.

“A value for money inquiry to analyse options for clinical and non-clinical service delivery at SCUH was commissioned and today the completed report was released.”

Mr Springborg presented the report at a sitting of the Parliamentary Estimates Committee in Brisbane.

Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Board chair Professor Paul Thomas AM said the Government had formally announced its decision to call expressions of interest from non-government service providers for the management and operation of the hospital.

“This decision will shortly see formal action occurring that will seek responses from non-government service providers as to their willingness and capacity to operate SCUH on behalf of the Government and the Hospital and Health Service (HHS),” Professor Thomas said.

“The Board accepts and respects the Government’s decision and is committed to assisting the process that will now run its course.”  

Health Service Chief Executive Kevin Hegarty said the executive leadership team of the HHS were focused on the ongoing planning and development of SCUH and committed to its commissioning and opening by the scheduled date in December 2016.

[ENDS] 24 July 2013
 
Media contact: Cameron Thompson 0407 585 230