MEDIA STATEMENT: New specialist care unit opened at Longreach Hospital 

New specialist care unit opened at Longreach Hospital 

• The Crisafulli Government delivers a new Central West Renal Unit at Longreach Hospital. 
• The unit delivers on the Crisafulli Government’s promise for world-class healthcare for all Queenslanders. 
• The unit allows clinically suitable locals to receive care close to home. 

The Crisafulli Government is delivering on its commitment to provide Queenslanders with world-class healthcare no matter where they live with the opening of the Central West Renal Unit at Longreach Hospital.   

Commissioning of the new three-chair, nurse-assisted unit – including final fit-out of equipment and furnishings – was completed over the past month. 

The Central West Renal Unit – the first of its kind in the Central West region - is part of a $10.867 million package of works at Longreach Hospital, and will offer multiple dialysis sessions to multiple patients three times a week.   

This new service for outback Queensland builds on the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to diagnose, treat and cure Labor’s Health Crisis by improving Queenslanders access to quality healthcare no matter where they live.  

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the development of a full nurse-assisted haemodialysis unit for the region had long been a priority for the Central West Hospital and Health Service. 

“The Crisafulli Government has been working hard to cure Labor’s Health Crisis and we are committed to delivering the care you need locally, including improved kidney care services right across the state,” Minister Nicholls said.   

“I am pleased to see that this project, which will benefit Central West residents for years to come, is now fully open and operational.” 

Gregory MP Sean Dillon said - while there remained some patients who would need to relocate to larger centres to access renal dialysis services due to the complexity of their condition - for many residents the new Central West unit would allow them to stay at home and receive the care they need.  

“For those who are clinically suitable, the new Central West Renal Unit will be a major improvement in their lives,’’ Mr Dillon said. 

“They will be able to remain in the region, closer to home, family and friends, and no longer need to relocate to places like Rockhampton, Townsville and Brisbane to receive renal dialysis care.’’ 

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Torny Miller 0439 426 196 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 

• People on haemodialysis spend, on average, 4-5 hours a day three days per week connected to a haemodialysis machine to maintain life.    
• 1 in 10 Australians have signs of kidney disease. This increases to 1 in 5 for Aboriginal and / or Torres Strait Islander people.  
• In Queensland, about 500,000 adults have indicators of chronic kidney disease, and demand for dialysis services across the state is growing. 
• 90 per cent of kidney function can be lost without any symptoms – it is a silent disease.   
• Chronic kidney disease is common, harmful, treatable (if detected early) but often unnoticed. 
• The best way to find out if you have kidney disease is to undertake a Kidney Health Check, available from primary care providers.