Public patients get private sector boost

Thousands of public patients will be treated each year at the new Mater Springfield Private Hospital from 2016, under a partnership to boost front line health care announced today by Health Minister Lawrence Springborg.

Visiting the site of the new hospital, Mr Springborg said patients currently treated at Metro South and West Moreton Hospital and Health Service facilities will receive their care closer to home at Mater Springfield Private Hospital.

He said the Government was injecting up to an extra $26 million a year into health care to serve the growing region, with up to 4800 public patients to benefit in 2015-16 alone.

“This partnership between Queensland Health and Mater Health Services comes from a tradition that goes back 108 years. It is the most successful public-private health partnership anywhere in Australia,” Mr Springborg said.

“Already more than 13 percent of births to public patients in Queensland hospitals occur at Mater facilities. Mater Health Services account for more than five percent of all occasions of care at all public facilities state-wide. 
 
“Now the Government has strengthened this effective partnership, with a 10-year funding assurance to support contracts with the new Springfield facility when it opens.

“The plan ensures we keep pace with growing demand for health services in the western corridor.

“The Metro South and West Moreton hospital and health service boards will purchase additional medical and surgical services from the new facility - including orthopaedics; ear, nose and throat; ophthalmology and surgical services - at a cost of up to $26 million a year.

“Our Government committed to revitalising front line services and that’s exactly what we’re doing through this partnership with the Mater Springfield Private Hospital.

“It’s all part of our strong plan for a brighter future.”

Mr Springborg said the mix of public services to be provided at the new private hospital was being negotiated between Mater Health Services and the hospital and health service boards.

“Mater Springfield Private Hospital is an important component in the developing network of health care south and west of Brisbane,” he said.

“The decision to create this new facility at Springfield is the result of many years of careful planning. I welcome its innovative design and the investment by Mater Health Services in a region where demand for new health capacity is growing exponentially.”

[ENDS] 18 June 2014

Media Contact: Cameron Thompson 0407 585 230