Construction starts on North Lakes health hub
Published Thursday, 08 November, 2007 at 11:48 AM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
A new, innovative $52 million health hub under construction in the north of Brisbane will be a one-stop-shop for medical services, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.
Mr Robertson marked the start of construction at a sod turning ceremony for the North Lakes and Surrounds Health Partnership Precinct.
“This new health centre will ensure we can provide the best health services for this fast growing community to the north of Brisbane,” he said.
“The centre will give local residents access to all their health needs at one location providing a one-stop shop for local health services.
“It will have purpose built clinical areas and consultation rooms, multi service rooms, education areas, therapy and rehabilitation areas, purpose built pregnancy and early years areas.
“This new development will ensure the region has the health infrastructure to manage future growth and will also improve community access to health services.”
By 2016, the North Lakes Health Precinct will service a population of more than 120,000 in North Lakes and surrounding suburbs including Burpengary, Narangba, Deception Bay, Griffin, Mango Hill, Dakabin, Kallangur, Murrumba Downs, Lawnton and Petrie.
Mr Robertson said the new centre would address the increasing need for chronic disease management and preventative health care.
“The service will involve a partnership between numerous parties including government, non-government, and private sector bodies,” he said.
“The centre has been specifically designed to support new models of care which reflect the latest thinking in promoting good health, managing chronic disease and reducing the need for hospital treatment through early intervention.
“The major difference under this model of service delivery is that many services will be taken to the clients. Queensland Health service coordinators will actually work in general practitioners’ surgeries to coordinate treatments and referrals.
“Patients will see doctors, specialists, and allied health professionals as close to their homes as possible. When necessary, patients will be able to progress from one service to the other in a coordinated sequence without the need for long-term appointments or additional travel.”
Member for Murrumba Dean Wells said one of the major benefits of the North Lakes Health Precinct was the potential to substantially reduce the demand on acute hospital services.
“Many patients will be able to avoid hospitalisation because primary care services will be available locally,” Mr Wells said.
“With early detection and care, many health problems will not be allowed to escalate. There will be an expansion of disease management care options for patients who frequently attend acute health facilities.”
Mr Wells said the precinct would also feature a minor injuries clinic to help avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.
“The proposed unit will open 16 hours a day, seven days a week, and would be run by Queensland Health staff including licensed nurse practitioners and allied health professionals,” he said.
“They will work in partnership with general practitioners and specialists from the emergency departments of the Redcliffe, Caboolture and the Prince Charles hospitals.”
Mr Robertson said he also welcomed Federal Labor’s commitment to provide $7 million towards the construction of a dedicated renal dialysis unit at the North Lakes Health Precinct.
“There is a growing demand for renal services in the North Lakes area with the closest services currently provided at Caboolture and Redcliffe hospitals,” he said.
“Labor’s commitment to providing capital funding for a dedicated renal dialysis unit at North Lakes will help take pressure off these services at Redcliffe and Caboolture.
“The renal unit will provide 12 renal dialysis chairs and North Lakes – and be able to provide treatment for up to 48 patients every year.”
Mr Robertson said Hutchinson Builders would construct the North Lakes Health Precinct which is expected to be completed in mid-2009.
8 November, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680
Mr Robertson marked the start of construction at a sod turning ceremony for the North Lakes and Surrounds Health Partnership Precinct.
“This new health centre will ensure we can provide the best health services for this fast growing community to the north of Brisbane,” he said.
“The centre will give local residents access to all their health needs at one location providing a one-stop shop for local health services.
“It will have purpose built clinical areas and consultation rooms, multi service rooms, education areas, therapy and rehabilitation areas, purpose built pregnancy and early years areas.
“This new development will ensure the region has the health infrastructure to manage future growth and will also improve community access to health services.”
By 2016, the North Lakes Health Precinct will service a population of more than 120,000 in North Lakes and surrounding suburbs including Burpengary, Narangba, Deception Bay, Griffin, Mango Hill, Dakabin, Kallangur, Murrumba Downs, Lawnton and Petrie.
Mr Robertson said the new centre would address the increasing need for chronic disease management and preventative health care.
“The service will involve a partnership between numerous parties including government, non-government, and private sector bodies,” he said.
“The centre has been specifically designed to support new models of care which reflect the latest thinking in promoting good health, managing chronic disease and reducing the need for hospital treatment through early intervention.
“The major difference under this model of service delivery is that many services will be taken to the clients. Queensland Health service coordinators will actually work in general practitioners’ surgeries to coordinate treatments and referrals.
“Patients will see doctors, specialists, and allied health professionals as close to their homes as possible. When necessary, patients will be able to progress from one service to the other in a coordinated sequence without the need for long-term appointments or additional travel.”
Member for Murrumba Dean Wells said one of the major benefits of the North Lakes Health Precinct was the potential to substantially reduce the demand on acute hospital services.
“Many patients will be able to avoid hospitalisation because primary care services will be available locally,” Mr Wells said.
“With early detection and care, many health problems will not be allowed to escalate. There will be an expansion of disease management care options for patients who frequently attend acute health facilities.”
Mr Wells said the precinct would also feature a minor injuries clinic to help avoid unnecessary hospital admissions.
“The proposed unit will open 16 hours a day, seven days a week, and would be run by Queensland Health staff including licensed nurse practitioners and allied health professionals,” he said.
“They will work in partnership with general practitioners and specialists from the emergency departments of the Redcliffe, Caboolture and the Prince Charles hospitals.”
Mr Robertson said he also welcomed Federal Labor’s commitment to provide $7 million towards the construction of a dedicated renal dialysis unit at the North Lakes Health Precinct.
“There is a growing demand for renal services in the North Lakes area with the closest services currently provided at Caboolture and Redcliffe hospitals,” he said.
“Labor’s commitment to providing capital funding for a dedicated renal dialysis unit at North Lakes will help take pressure off these services at Redcliffe and Caboolture.
“The renal unit will provide 12 renal dialysis chairs and North Lakes – and be able to provide treatment for up to 48 patients every year.”
Mr Robertson said Hutchinson Builders would construct the North Lakes Health Precinct which is expected to be completed in mid-2009.
8 November, 2007
MEDIA: MATTHEW JUTSUM 3225 2680