Published Friday, 16 February, 2007 at 11:57 AM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
MATER REDEVELOPMENT TAKES SHAPE WITH NEW INTENSIVE CARE UNIT
The $183 million Mater redevelopment will more than double the number of intensive care beds and allow the adult hospital to treat thousands more patients every year, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.
Mr Robertson officially opened the new ICU and coronary care unit marking the first major milestone of the massive project which is supported by $128 million in capital funding from Queensland Health.
“The $183 million Mater Hospitals redevelopment is one of the most significant health projects in Queensland and it is already taking shape with the new intensive care unit up and running,” Mr Robertson said.
“The ICU will increase from 5 beds to 11 beds when the overall redevelopment is completed in 2008-09.
“It is currently operating with two additional ICU beds (a total of 7) and more beds will come on line as services are expanded during the redevelopment.
“ICU beds are highly sophisticated, specialised units that each cost around $1.3 million a year to run.
“They allow hospitals to deliver high level care to the most sick and injured patients and those who have undergone complex surgery.
“The huge boost to intensive care services at the Mater will benefit thousands of Queenslanders in the years ahead.
“Based on the types of patients the Mater currently treats, the extra two beds alone are expected to enable the hospital to care for an additional 200 patients a year in the ICU, including emergency and elective surgery.
“Not only will it increase surgical capacity at the hospital, but it will also take a lot of pressure off other tertiary hospitals because ICUs act as a co-ordinated network across south east Queensland.”
“There are over 120 ICU beds currently operating in south east Queensland alone.”
Mr Robertson said the new coronary care unit had a total of seven beds and created a much better environment for the Mater to treat and care for coronary patients.
“The Mater will employ, on a full time equivalent (FTE) basis, an extra 1.5 doctors, 36 nurses and four allied health professionals to run the expanded ICU/CCU when it reaches full capacity,” he said.
“The Beattie Government’s $10 billion Health Action Plan is already making its mark on health facilities and services across Queensland and today we see clear proof of our commitment to build the best possible health system for Queenslanders.
“We are currently developing some massive projects, including three new tertiary hospitals in the south east corner which will provide huge increases in the number of hospital beds available throughout the State.
“The Mater project alone will provide 150 additional beds and cots, 129 of which will be for public patients. These will include additional medical and surgical ward beds, intensive care and coronary care beds, and emergency department short stay beds in the Mater Adult Hospital.
“It will involve a new Mater Mothers’ Hospital, extensive refurbishment of the existing Mater Adult Hospital, a new helipad, and improved pedestrian access to the hospitals.
“To date, Mater Adults’ work on new inpatient wards, a clinical measurements unit, specialists clinics and medical records department have been also been completed.
“Construction is currently underway on a new operating theatre and helipad, and ward and ensuite refurbishment.”
In addition to a $128 million capital grant, the State Government will also gradually increase its annual funding to the Mater by $50 million upon completion of the overall redevelopment. It currently provides recurrent funding of $260 million.
16 February, 2007
MEDIA: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185
Mr Robertson officially opened the new ICU and coronary care unit marking the first major milestone of the massive project which is supported by $128 million in capital funding from Queensland Health.
“The $183 million Mater Hospitals redevelopment is one of the most significant health projects in Queensland and it is already taking shape with the new intensive care unit up and running,” Mr Robertson said.
“The ICU will increase from 5 beds to 11 beds when the overall redevelopment is completed in 2008-09.
“It is currently operating with two additional ICU beds (a total of 7) and more beds will come on line as services are expanded during the redevelopment.
“ICU beds are highly sophisticated, specialised units that each cost around $1.3 million a year to run.
“They allow hospitals to deliver high level care to the most sick and injured patients and those who have undergone complex surgery.
“The huge boost to intensive care services at the Mater will benefit thousands of Queenslanders in the years ahead.
“Based on the types of patients the Mater currently treats, the extra two beds alone are expected to enable the hospital to care for an additional 200 patients a year in the ICU, including emergency and elective surgery.
“Not only will it increase surgical capacity at the hospital, but it will also take a lot of pressure off other tertiary hospitals because ICUs act as a co-ordinated network across south east Queensland.”
“There are over 120 ICU beds currently operating in south east Queensland alone.”
Mr Robertson said the new coronary care unit had a total of seven beds and created a much better environment for the Mater to treat and care for coronary patients.
“The Mater will employ, on a full time equivalent (FTE) basis, an extra 1.5 doctors, 36 nurses and four allied health professionals to run the expanded ICU/CCU when it reaches full capacity,” he said.
“The Beattie Government’s $10 billion Health Action Plan is already making its mark on health facilities and services across Queensland and today we see clear proof of our commitment to build the best possible health system for Queenslanders.
“We are currently developing some massive projects, including three new tertiary hospitals in the south east corner which will provide huge increases in the number of hospital beds available throughout the State.
“The Mater project alone will provide 150 additional beds and cots, 129 of which will be for public patients. These will include additional medical and surgical ward beds, intensive care and coronary care beds, and emergency department short stay beds in the Mater Adult Hospital.
“It will involve a new Mater Mothers’ Hospital, extensive refurbishment of the existing Mater Adult Hospital, a new helipad, and improved pedestrian access to the hospitals.
“To date, Mater Adults’ work on new inpatient wards, a clinical measurements unit, specialists clinics and medical records department have been also been completed.
“Construction is currently underway on a new operating theatre and helipad, and ward and ensuite refurbishment.”
In addition to a $128 million capital grant, the State Government will also gradually increase its annual funding to the Mater by $50 million upon completion of the overall redevelopment. It currently provides recurrent funding of $260 million.
16 February, 2007
MEDIA: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185