Queensland Government celebrates opening of new Townsville Hospital facilities

Published Friday, 10 July, 2015 at 12:48 PM

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Children with cancer, mothers and newborn babies, patients undergoing rehabilitation and patients with delirium and dementia are among those benefiting from Townsville Hospital’s $340 million redevelopment.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the redevelopment built on construction and redevelopment of the hospital by previous Queensland Labor Governments.

“It’s wonderful to see the end result here today of this commitment of previous Federal Labor Governments,” she said.

“Labor has a proud track record in building medical facilities in regional Queensland, and this hospital has grown in line with the needs of the Townsville community.” 

The official opening included the Townsville Cancer Centre, Pathology Queensland, South Block (maternity and gerontology units), Clinical Services Support Building and the Townsville Sub-Acute Care Unit. 

The redevelopment includes a new ward block, more beds, new pharmacy, kitchen, medical records and mortuary, sub-acute care unit, pathology services, expanded cancer centre including 26 additional chemotherapy chairs, paediatric oncology day unit and two new linear accelerators which treat cancer with high-energy x-rays. 

Health Minister Cameron Dick said he was delighted to return to the city to celebrate such a significant milestone for North Queensland’s biggest health care facility. 

“This is a very exciting day for all of us in government to celebrate the opening of a multi-million dollar redevelopment that will benefit thousands of North Queenslanders,” he said. 

“What it will mean is that more Townsville residents who have previously had to travel to Brisbane for treatment will be able to receive their treatment here in their home city with all their support networks around them. 

“For some of these patients, the travel associated with their treatment adds an extra trauma they don’t need at what is already a traumatic time.” 

For eight-year-old Lucy Rethamel, the redevelopment, which includes the paediatric oncology day unit, means she will be able to receive her care closer to her home, her school mates, and her Mum and Dad and two big sisters. 

Lucy was diagnosed was acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) last year and spent nine months undergoing treatment at the Royal Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Brisbane.

She is now in remission and receiving follow-up care in the new paediatric oncology day unit. 

“This redevelopment means care close to home for patients like Lucy,” Mr Dick said. 

“Importantly, it ushers in a future where regional hospitals and their Boards can develop more specialised services that mean less travel to capital cities and more opportunities for doctors, nurses and other health professionals to practise their specialties in regional Queensland. 

“I sincerely thank and congratulate all involved in this milestone achievement for The Townsville Hospital,” he said.

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