Minister to cast vision for Sunshine Coast health care
Published Thursday, 19 October, 2006 at 02:51 PM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Health Minister Stephen Robertson will tonight tell local doctors how the Beattie Government is meeting the health challenges of a growing and ageing Sunshine Coast community.
Mr Robertson said his address to the Sunshine Coast Local Medical Association would outline his vision for public health care in the region including more than $1.2 billion in new health infrastructure.
“Our ambitious building program includes a new tertiary hospital with a capacity of 650 beds at Kawana at an estimated cost of $940 million,” he said.
“The new hospital will offer emergency medicine, expanded specialist surgical services, intensive care and high dependency units, cardiology and cancer services.
“It will be a major regional referral centre for the Sunshine Coast Health District and districts to the north.
“In addition, 90 new hospital beds at a total cost of $203 million for Nambour and Caloundra hospitals will be provided from mid 2008.
“And a $14.6 million health hub will be built in Maroochydore by 2009.”
Mr Robertson said the Beattie Government was spending record dollars to improve health care on the Sunshine Coast.
“The 2006/07 health budget for the Sunshine Coast is now $243 million – that’s a staggering $650,000 per day,” he said.
“Perhaps the greatest indicator of how the health system is turning the corner is the recruitment of more clinical staff in the face of national and global shortages.
“Since June 2005, 34 extra doctors, 101 extra nurses and 37 extra allied health professionals have been recruited to work in public hospitals on the Sunshine Coast.”
Mr Robertson said the Beattie Government would continue to build on its commitment to health on the Sunshine Coast.
19 October, 2006
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680
Mr Robertson said his address to the Sunshine Coast Local Medical Association would outline his vision for public health care in the region including more than $1.2 billion in new health infrastructure.
“Our ambitious building program includes a new tertiary hospital with a capacity of 650 beds at Kawana at an estimated cost of $940 million,” he said.
“The new hospital will offer emergency medicine, expanded specialist surgical services, intensive care and high dependency units, cardiology and cancer services.
“It will be a major regional referral centre for the Sunshine Coast Health District and districts to the north.
“In addition, 90 new hospital beds at a total cost of $203 million for Nambour and Caloundra hospitals will be provided from mid 2008.
“And a $14.6 million health hub will be built in Maroochydore by 2009.”
Mr Robertson said the Beattie Government was spending record dollars to improve health care on the Sunshine Coast.
“The 2006/07 health budget for the Sunshine Coast is now $243 million – that’s a staggering $650,000 per day,” he said.
“Perhaps the greatest indicator of how the health system is turning the corner is the recruitment of more clinical staff in the face of national and global shortages.
“Since June 2005, 34 extra doctors, 101 extra nurses and 37 extra allied health professionals have been recruited to work in public hospitals on the Sunshine Coast.”
Mr Robertson said the Beattie Government would continue to build on its commitment to health on the Sunshine Coast.
19 October, 2006
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680