Published Tuesday, 27 March, 2007 at 11:31 AM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
BUILDING BETTER HEALTH SERVICES FOR CAIRNS
The Beattie Government is working hard to improve health services for Cairns in the face of unprecedented patient demand and population growth, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.
Mr Robertson told a Cairns Chamber of Commerce luncheon that rising rates of chronic disease such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes were also a mounting challenge to the health system.
“The Cairns population is growing at approximately 2.4% each year which – along with a steady increase in tourist numbers – puts ever-increasing demands on our hospital services,” he said.
“For example, Cairns Hospital admissions in 2006 were 40,202 patients which was 7% higher than the previous year.
“And the hospital’s emergency department is currently treating an average 103 patients per day compared with 91 patients per day in 2005 and 80 patients per day in 2003.
“The Government is responding to this growth in demand by investing in new services, more doctors, nurses and allied health professionals and placing a greater emphasis on preventative health.
“The Cairns Hospital budget for this financial year is a record $173 million – up more than 30 percent over the last two years.
“This investment has already delivered an additional 25 doctors, 64 nurses and 29 allied health professionals at the hospital.
“That’s a net increase of 118 clinical staff in just 12 months.”
Mr Robertson said the State Government is also working to improve health facilities in Cairns.
“We are investing $11 million to expand the emergency department, including 12 extra beds and expanded ambulance set-down areas.
“In addition, $12.7 million has been allocated to build a new Community Health Centre in Sheridan Street, Cairns.
“This follows on from the major $130 million redevelopment of Cairns Hospital completed in 2002 which delivered a new mental health unit, new emergency department, maternity ward and operating theatres.”
Mr Robertson said the Cairns Hospital is looking at options to ease the current pressure on available beds.
“I’m advised that approximately 30 hospital beds are currently being used by elderly patients who would otherwise be in nursing homes if the Federal Government had provided sufficient local aged care places.
“Cairns Hospital has already opened extra beds and is looking at expanding the Gordonvale Hospital to take some of these non-acute patients.
“We are also looking at the possibility of moving some Cairns Hospital patients who no longer require acute care - and come from areas like Mossman, Atherton, Innisfail and Mareeba - back into their local hospitals.”
Other health building projects being progressed in Far North Queensland include:
• a $450,000 refurbishment of the Douglas Shire Multi-Purpose Health Service to house a new, four-chair renal dialysis unit;
• a new four-chair renal dialysis unit currently under construction at the Cooktown Multi-Purpose Health Service for $3.6 million,;
• construction to begin soon on a new $13.4 million health care centre at Hope Vale;
• Planning is underway on a new $15.7 million health care centre at Yarrabah; and
• The $41 million redevelopment of Innisfail Hospital is expected to be completed later this year.
“These hospital building projects will not only ensure better health services in the Far North, but will generate hundreds of construction jobs and stimulate local economies,” Mr Robertson said.
He said mental health services were also being improved with an additional $11 million investment.
“This will secure an additional 48 mental health staff and establish new services like homeless health outreach team, a mental health child safety team and a major community-based residential recovery and rehabilitation program,” Mr Robertson said.
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680
Mr Robertson told a Cairns Chamber of Commerce luncheon that rising rates of chronic disease such as heart disease, stroke and diabetes were also a mounting challenge to the health system.
“The Cairns population is growing at approximately 2.4% each year which – along with a steady increase in tourist numbers – puts ever-increasing demands on our hospital services,” he said.
“For example, Cairns Hospital admissions in 2006 were 40,202 patients which was 7% higher than the previous year.
“And the hospital’s emergency department is currently treating an average 103 patients per day compared with 91 patients per day in 2005 and 80 patients per day in 2003.
“The Government is responding to this growth in demand by investing in new services, more doctors, nurses and allied health professionals and placing a greater emphasis on preventative health.
“The Cairns Hospital budget for this financial year is a record $173 million – up more than 30 percent over the last two years.
“This investment has already delivered an additional 25 doctors, 64 nurses and 29 allied health professionals at the hospital.
“That’s a net increase of 118 clinical staff in just 12 months.”
Mr Robertson said the State Government is also working to improve health facilities in Cairns.
“We are investing $11 million to expand the emergency department, including 12 extra beds and expanded ambulance set-down areas.
“In addition, $12.7 million has been allocated to build a new Community Health Centre in Sheridan Street, Cairns.
“This follows on from the major $130 million redevelopment of Cairns Hospital completed in 2002 which delivered a new mental health unit, new emergency department, maternity ward and operating theatres.”
Mr Robertson said the Cairns Hospital is looking at options to ease the current pressure on available beds.
“I’m advised that approximately 30 hospital beds are currently being used by elderly patients who would otherwise be in nursing homes if the Federal Government had provided sufficient local aged care places.
“Cairns Hospital has already opened extra beds and is looking at expanding the Gordonvale Hospital to take some of these non-acute patients.
“We are also looking at the possibility of moving some Cairns Hospital patients who no longer require acute care - and come from areas like Mossman, Atherton, Innisfail and Mareeba - back into their local hospitals.”
Other health building projects being progressed in Far North Queensland include:
• a $450,000 refurbishment of the Douglas Shire Multi-Purpose Health Service to house a new, four-chair renal dialysis unit;
• a new four-chair renal dialysis unit currently under construction at the Cooktown Multi-Purpose Health Service for $3.6 million,;
• construction to begin soon on a new $13.4 million health care centre at Hope Vale;
• Planning is underway on a new $15.7 million health care centre at Yarrabah; and
• The $41 million redevelopment of Innisfail Hospital is expected to be completed later this year.
“These hospital building projects will not only ensure better health services in the Far North, but will generate hundreds of construction jobs and stimulate local economies,” Mr Robertson said.
He said mental health services were also being improved with an additional $11 million investment.
“This will secure an additional 48 mental health staff and establish new services like homeless health outreach team, a mental health child safety team and a major community-based residential recovery and rehabilitation program,” Mr Robertson said.
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680