Record health budget boost for the Wide Bay region

More than $614 million will be invested in healthcare in the Wide Bay region in 2018-19, with the Palaszczuk Government delivering a record health budget that focuses on strengthening frontline services and managing rising demand.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said the budget reflected the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to providing quality health services in regional Queensland.

“No matter where in the Wide Bay region you call home, you will have access to high-quality healthcare,” he said.

“Tomorrow’s State Budget will deliver on the healthcare commitments we made to Queenslanders at the election.”

“Our State Budget will include a record $18.3 billion for health services and infrastructure in Queensland in 2018-19.”

Mr Miles said the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) will have an operating budget of $614.9 million in 2018-19, over $33 million more than the previous financial year.

Member for Maryborough Mr Bruce Saunders said the Wide Bay region will experience significant population growth over the next 10 years and the Palaszczuk Government is strengthening frontline health services to meet this growing demand.

“The Palaszczuk Government is delivering on our election commitments to the Wide Bay region,” Mr Saunders said.

“This includes progressing the $3 million business case for a new or substantially-refurbished Bundaberg Hospital that will determine the best way to meet rising demand for health services in the region.

“In addition, $5.7 million will be provided in general growth funding to meet the projected increase in activity including emergency department presentations, elective surgery and outpatients. 

“This includes part year commissioning costs for the new Hervey Bay Emergency Department and some additional capacity at Bundaberg Hospital to help alleviate bed pressures,” Mr Saunders said.

Priorities for the Wide Bay over the next financial year include:

• $2.9 million for community mental health treatment services
• $2.8 million to support increased provision of cardiac intervention services to patients on the Fraser Coast
• $960,000 to improve gastrointestinal endoscopy services
• $670,000 for additional clinical staff to meet increasing demand for health services in Queensland correctional facilities
• $7 million for works to refurbish the Maryborough Hospital Emergency Department, Specialist Outpatient Department and front reception.
• $11.9 million to complete construction and commissioning of the new $42.5 million Emergency Department at Hervey Bay Hospital
• $1.3 million to complete construction and commissioning of the Step-up Step-down Mental Health Facility at Bundaberg
• $120,000 in increased funding to support the adult step-up / step down facility being established under the Mental Health Connecting Care to Recovery initiative and 
• $4.1million to complete works to refurbish Gayndah Hospital and Eidsvold Multi-Purpose Health Service. 

In this year’s State Budget, the Palaszczuk Government is investing in Health’s operating budget by a record $17.3 billion in 2018-19, an increase of $729.3 million from the 2017-18 budget.

The Government is boosting health infrastructure. The capital budget will be $985.5 million in 2018-19, an increase of $69.4 million from 2017-18.

ENDS

Media contact: Katharine Wright – 0428 957 903 / Amy Hunter - 0423 651 484