MORE BEDS AND BETTER SERVICES AT MATER ADULTS’ HOSPITAL

30 April, 2008

The Bligh Government has helped deliver a major upgrade of the Mater Adults Hospital that has injected an extra 71 public hospital beds for South East Queensland.

Health Minister Stephen Robertson today officially opened the redeveloped Mater Adults Hospital which has increased its total bed capacity to more than 250.

“The Bligh Government places a high value on our important partnership with the Mater which is securing high quality health services for our community,” Mr Robertson said.

“The $58 million refurbishment will provide improved services and extra beds for public patients including –

• An extra 8 Emergency Department short stay beds
• An extra 7 ICU/coronary care beds
• An extra 56 inpatient beds including 17 day procedure beds
• An extra 71 public beds total across the Mater Adult Hospital.”

The refurbishment of the Mater Adult Hospital is part of an overall $188 million Mater Hospitals project which is jointly funded by the Bligh Government and the Mater.

It will also deliver a new Mater Mothers’ Hospital.

Overall, the joint project will deliver an additional 129 public beds and 21 private beds.

“The State Government is contributing almost $128 million to this joint project with Mater Hospitals which is delivering major upgrades,” Mr Robertson said.

“Very soon the Bligh Government and Mater Hospitals will mark the opening of a brand new Mater Mothers’ Hospital that will complement the Mater Adults refurbishment.

“When Mater Mothers opens in June there will be twice the number of public beds, one of Australia’s largest Neonatology Units and more than 10,000 babies will be delivered there each year.”

The new Mater Mothers will feature

• 90 private beds – an increase of 21 beds
• 88 public beds – an increase of 47 beds
• 79 NICU/SCN cost – an increase of 19 cots and
• 16 birth suites – an increase of 3 suites

”Today’s major upgrade at the Mater is a perfect example of how the Bligh Government is working to build Queensland’s future,” Mr Robertson said.

MEDIA: Sharon Marshall 3234 1190 or 0417 728 676