LNP delivering on Townsville paediatric pledge

Health services for children in North Queensland will be expanded following Premier Campbell Newman’s announcement today that a dedicated Paediatric Intensive Care Unit will be built at Townsville Hospital.

“In July 2012, Townsville Hospital received $14.75 million to deliver this unit as part of our government’s commitment to revitalising frontline health services,” Mr Newman said.

“As a result of this funding, Townsville Hospital has already made available three dedicated beds for use as needed within the main adult intensive care unit.

"Additional nursing, medical and allied health staff have been recruited to staff these beds and there are now 18 nurses, including a specialist clinical nurse consultant and two staff specialist doctors, with a third due to start in February this year.

"The hospital is also in the process of recruiting additional allied health staff for the paediatric intensive care service.''

Mr Newman said between January and November 2013, 168 children had been cared for in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit.

“We made a commitment to ensure we provided the best health services in the best time and the best place,” he said.

"There is clearly a need for this service in North Queensland, with an average rate of 15 monthly admissions.”

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said developing a separate, dedicated Paediatric Intensive Care Unit would ensure North Queensland children would be able to receive their treatment closer to home.

"We are in the process of developing a proposal for the unit, keeping in mind the recruitment of additional specialised staff and skills development for existing staff will take some time,” Mr Springborg said.

"I commend The Townsville Hospital and the Board of the health service for moving forward on this important government commitment.

"The existing three-bed Paediatric Intensive Care Unit has proved invaluable and an expanded, stand-alone unit will be of immense benefit to the children of North Queensland and their parents.''

[ENDS] 14 January 2014

Media contact: Premier’s Office 3719 7000   Health Minister Clare Mildren 0417 255 284