COMMUNITY TO HAVE STRONG SAY ON NEW SUNSHINE COAST HOSPITAL

Health Minister Stephen Robertson today (Thurs) attended the inaugural meeting of the stakeholder advisory group that will steer development of the Sunshine Coast’s new $940 million tertiary hospital at Kawana.

Mr Robertson and Queensland Health director-general Uschi Schreiber joined the 28-member stakeholder advisory group for the meeting at the Kawana Community Centre.

“We’re building a brand new 650 bed hospital at Kawana to meet the future health needs of the fast growing Sunshine Coast region,” he said.

“Its important the local community that will use this hospital has a say in what sort of hospital it wants and what services the hospital will deliver.

“That’s why we have included four local community representatives on the advisory group.

“Today’s meeting will be the first of many and ensure the new services and facilities respond to the needs of the Sunshine Coast and Cooloola communities.”

Representatives on the advisory group include: University of the Sunshine Coast vice chancellor Professor Paul Thomas; Sunshine Coast Local Medical Association president, Dr Wayne Herdy; representatives from Caloundra and Maroochy Shire councils, Queensland Ambulance Service, clinicians and public and private health providers.

Mr Robertson said the advisory group’s role includes:

-Advising Queensland Health about appropriate structures and processes to ensure effective consumer, carer and community participation at all levels of service planning and delivery.

-Providing strategic direction in the establishment of the Sunshine Coast Hospital, to be built at Kawana.

It will also do further analysis and consultation in relation to:

-The service delivery models that will ensure the people of the Sunshine Coast and Cooloola region have access to high quality care.

-The development of teaching and research infrastructure consistent with that required for a tertiary hospital.

Queensland Health has acquired land for the hospital on a 20 hectare site at the southern side of the Kawana Way/Lake Kawana Boulevard intersection which is due for completion in 2014.

MEDIA: PAUL LYNCH  3234 1190