Palaszczuk Government to deliver new Roma Hospital

The Palaszczuk Government will build a new public hospital at Roma as part of the $180 million Enhancing Regional Hospitals program.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today visited Roma to announce the major project.

“This is an exciting day for Roma. My government will be building a brand new Roma Hospital that will better meet the public’s health needs,” she said.

“This project is a clear signal that we are committed to building and improving our health services in Queensland no matter where they are located.’

“Initial planning for the new hospital indicates an increase in capacity from 3000 to 3500 patients per year at a cost of around $70 million.

“It’s expected that the project will deliver more than 250 jobs to the region over the construction period.”

Premier Palaszczuk said community consultation would shortly kick off.

“We will shortly be undertaking community and stakeholder consultations to ensure we get the right design for the South West region,” she said.

“The South West Hospital and Health Service will then use the feedback from the consultation process to help finalise designs and the costing for the new hospital.

“Details of the consultation times, dates and locations will be provided locally in the coming weeks.’’

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said works would start on the new hospital in late 2016.

“Parts of Roma Hospital are over 70 years old with a number of maintenance issues. We have decided a new build is the most cost-effective option for the future of the hospital and one that will best meet community expectations,” he said.

“We expect designs to be available for public release mid-year and for work to start in late 2016.”

South West Hospital and Health Board Chair Lindsay Godfrey welcomed the announcement.

“This is great news for our region with the Roma Hospital catering to communities across the South West, from Thargomindah to Wallumbilla,” he said.

“I would like to thank the State Government and the Department of Health for their support and investment in better health services for the South West.’’

Media contact: 3719 7000