Toowoomba Hospital treating more patients with extra beds

Toowoomba Hospital is treating more patients in a new 23-bed medical ward as part of a $3.3 million State Government redevelopment, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

Mr Robertson officially opened the ward and a refurbished oncology unit where cancer patients are being treated in better facilities and more comfortable surroundings.

“This is part of the Bligh Government’s commitment to providing high quality health services to the people of Toowoomba and the Darling Downs,” Mr Robertson said.

“The new ward means Toowoomba Hospital has increased its total capacity to 241 beds allowing it to treat approximately 1,500 patients each year. There is also an extra hospital bed located in another ward.

“It is now much better equipped to meet the needs of this rapidly-growing region.

“Importantly, the new ward will go a long way towards tackling bed block which at times impacts on the hospital’s ability to transfer patients from the emergency department to hospital wards for ongoing care and treatment.

“Toowoomba is likely to have treated a record number of patients in its emergency department in 2007, having reached 32,534 patients in the first nine months - in 2006, it treated 40,322.

“Having 23 extra beds in the hospital will help cope with this increasing demand and will result in fewer patients needing to wait for extended periods before they are transferred out of the ED.”

Mr Robertson said an additional 4 doctors, 30 nurses and 6 allied health staff had been recruited to work in the new facilities and to give patients the best possible professional care.

“In fact, since June 2005 to December 2007 we have seen a net increase of 175 nurses and 21 doctors working in our public hospitals on the Darling Downs,” he said.

“These skilled professionals have complemented the dedicated workforce spread throughout the region.”

Mr Robertson said the demand for services in the region was growing, partly because the local population was expected to increase more than 10% in the next 10 years.

“Admissions to the hospital this financial year are expected to total more than 3800, an increase of more than 100 on last year,” he said.

“And demand for oncology services is also growing rapidly.

“This financial year, 1,400 chemotherapy treatments are expected to be provided at the hospital, easily exceeding last year’s total of 1,282.

“The new oncology unit will have the capability to treat 12 patients simultaneously – a 50% increase in capacity.

“It also has an improved layout, a dedicated children’s bay, better waiting facilities and purpose built staff offices.”

Mr Robertson said the new redevelopment has also improved the hospital’s overall infection control capacity.

“The new ward has a four single rooms with ensuite bathrooms which will enhance the hospital’s ability to isolate patients when needed to control the spread of infections when they occur,” he said.

16 January,  2008

MEDIA:     Joshua Cooney 3234 1185