BEATTIE GOVT FREES UP MORE HOSPITAL BEDS ON GOLD COAST

The Beattie Government has moved to free up an additional 20 beds at the Gold Coast Hospital to ease pressure on its busy emergency department..

Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today Queensland Health had acquired 20 palliative care beds for $1.5 million from the Pacific Private Clinic across the road from the hospital at Southport.

“This will make 20 additional beds available in the hospital to help reduce access block for patients admitted through the emergency department and waiting for ward beds.

“The Palliative Care Unit at Robina Hospital will also be re-located to the Pacific Private Clinic.

“This will free up ward space at Robina to cater for appropriate mental health patients.

“This will relieve immediate pressure on mental health beds and the Southport emergency department which has been stretched to capacity with mental health patients in recent weeks.”

Ward space to be used for mental health patients at Robina Hospital will require minor renovations to ensure the safety of patients and staff.

Mr Robertson said palliative care patients moved into the Pacific Private Clinic will still be cared for by Gold Coast District Health staff.

“This is another example of the public and private health sectors working together to improve health services in the community.

“Preserving palliative care staff as a unit has been a priority in this process as they deliver a quality service to patients.”

Mr Robertson said today’s initiative is part of a broader State Government commitment to increase doctor numbers and hospital beds to meet growing demand for health services on the Gold Coast.

“Queensland Health currently has 501 doctors working at the Gold Coast and Robina public hospitals.

“That’s 150 more doctors than the 351 working at the hospitals two years ago.”

Beattie Government initiatives to increase bed numbers on the Gold Coast include:

• Development of a new 750-bed $1.23 billion Gold Coast University Hospital to open in 2012.

• The fast-tracking last year of 30 extra beds opened at Robina Hospital to provide support for the Gold Coast Hospital emergency department.

• An $8.2 million redevelopment of the Gold Coast Hospital emergency department.

• The new $40 million Robina Hospital emergency department and Intensive Care/Coronary Care Unit opens in September.

“This project is part of our election commitment to open an extra 179 beds at Robina Hospital; increasing the hospital’s capacity to 364 beds.

‘The new Robina emergency department will have 26 bed bays plus 10 short stay beds.

“The new Intensive Care/Coronary care unit will have 10 ICU beds.

“These extra beds will deliver much-needed emergency and intensive care services to the southern end of the Gold Coast.

“They will also help ease pressure on the Gold Coast Emergency Department at Southport,” Mr Robertson said.

MEDIA: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185 or 0409 069 056