Funding for Ipswich Hospital plans for redevelopment

The Palaszczuk Government has committed $112.2 million over four years for detailed planning and preparatory works for proposed future redevelopments at three public hospitals in the growth corridor of South-East Queensland (SEQ), including Ipswich.

Health and Ambulance Services Minister Cameron Dick said staff at the 400-bed Ipswich Hospital had been serving the community well, but the hospital was currently operating at capacity.

“We want to make sure locals continue to receive the best quality health care in the future, with the West Moreton population predicted to grow from 269,000 to 399,000 by 2026-27,” Mr Dick said.

“This is particularly important as Ipswich has the highest prevalence of chronic and bariatric disease when compared to the state average. This, combined with an ageing population and population growth from new housing developments mean there will be further increases in health care demand.

“The SEQ Hospitals Package in the State Budget, to be delivered over four years, provides $9 million for business case development across the three hospitals and a further $103.2 million for preparatory works.

“Early investments are likely to include land acquisition, earthworks, car parking reconfiguration, and changes to buildings, walkways and paths for safety and comfort during the redevelopments.”

Mr Dick said these redevelopments needed a staged approach to address the immediate shortfall and cater for long term needs.

The design is expected to be finalised by early 2019.

Mr Dick said Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard and Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden had been strong advocates for the health of their region.

Ms Howard and Mr Madden thanked the Minister for looking into the health concerns of their community.

Ms Howard said she was proud to be part of a government that was working to ensure no matter where someone lives in Queensland, they had easy access to world class healthcare.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to making Queenslanders among the healthiest people in the world by 2026 and this means improving access to quality and safe healthcare in all its different forms and settings,’’ she said.

“Our Government works for all of Queensland and is building local healthcare facilities in parts of Queensland ignored by the LNP for decades.”

Mr Madden said not only was the Government improving healthcare by delivering better infrastructure and services, it was also employing more health staff after the Newman-Nicholls LNP Government took its axe to the health system and cut 69 nursing and midwifery jobs in the West Moreton Hospital and Health Service (WMHHS), which covers Ipswich Hospital.

“Since coming to government, 67 doctors and 207 nurses and midwifes have been added to WMHHS,” Mr Madden said.

Mr Dick said this year’s budget allocation to WMHHS was $554.6 million, an increase of $42.3 million on last year’s budget, and an increase of $97.5 million on the allocation of the final budget of the Newman-Nicholls Government.

Significant investments for 2017-18 include:

• $13.9 million growth funding to meet projected increases in activity, including emergency department presentations, outpatients and elective surgery;
• Continuation of $5 million to support the Clinical Decision Unit opened in the Ipswich Hospital Emergency Department in 2016-17;
• $4.7 million to support the establishment of a mental health acute care team enabling more efficient and effective care of mental health patients;
• $1.5 million winter beds funding to assist with increases in emergency department presentations over the winter period; and
• $340,000 to deliver additional gastrointestinal endoscopies to meet the growth in demand associated with the national bowel screening program.

ENDS

Media contact:              

Emma McBryde 0447 155 332