MEDIA STATEMENT: One step closer to restoring Maternity Services in Biloela

A FRESH START FOR QUEENSLAND
One step closer to restoring Maternity Services in Biloela

Following accelerated construction under the Crisafulli Government, upgrades to the Biloela Hospital operating theatre and birthing suite are now complete.
Crisafulli Government is now one step closer on delivering on an election commitment to restore local Biloela birthing services, after being neglected by the former Labor Government.
Work also starting on new accommodation for hospital staff.

The Biloela Hospital is one step closer to having maternity services restored after the Crisafulli Government accelerated construction of the operating theatre and birthing suite.

The upgrades are now complete and mark an early but significant step towards returning birthing services for local families, a key election commitment by the Crisafulli Government as it delivers its Easier Access to Health Services Plan.

The maternity unit has been on bypass for more than 1,000 days after being neglected by the former Labor Government who left vital facilities to deteriorate.

The Crisafulli Government’s Hospital Rescue Plan is delivering for Central Queensland, with planning underway for the Biloela Hospital redevelopment project and work also starting to attract the workforce needed, with contractors appointed to oversee the build of six new much-needed staff accommodation units at the Biloela Hospital.

These units will have a modern, comfortable design including an undercover car park, ramp accessibility, internet access, outdoor clothesline, a kitchenette and laundry. The three-bedroom units also come with a shared living space and ensuite bedrooms.  

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the old accommodation building would be decommissioned and demolished to make the area safe in preparation for the much larger redevelopment of the hospital.

“After a decade of Labor neglect, the Crisafulli Government is delivering much-needed projects for Biloela Hospital,” Minister Nicholls said.

“We’re delivering purpose-built staff units to ensure our local health workers are comfortably accommodated and we can better attract the workforce we need to deliver essential health services.

“Under Labor, birthing services at Biloela Hospital were suspended and the hospital’s birthing facilities were left to deteriorate to the point they required upgrades.

“The Crisafulli Government accelerated works to upgrade the operating theatre and birthing suite to make them compliant once again, and we are pleased that these works have now been completed."

Member for Callide Bryson Head said the Crisafulli Government was committed to delivering on its election commitment to end Labor’s Health Crisis to restore birthing services to the people of Biloela.

“When Labor cut birthing services they left Biloela families in the lurch. The community has been calling for this important service to be restored, and unlike Labor, we are working hard to deliver,” Mr Head said.

“We’re giving Biloela the health care the community deserves, with work also starting on new staff accommodation and planning underway for the hospital redevelopment project.”

ENDS  

MEDIA CONTACT: Torny Miller 0439 426 196

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

To stay informed, visit the Biloela Hospital redevelopment website here. 