NEW HOSPITALS AND HOSPITAL UPGRADES ACROSS QLD

The Bligh Government’s $6 billion health infrastructure program will shift into top gear next financial year as several major hospital projects get off the ground across Queensland including Townsville.

Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the 2008-09 State Budget contained a $1 billion capital works program that would fund more than 100 Queensland Health projects.

“Townsville Hospital will benefit from a new $10 million project – one that will expand the emergency and medical imaging departments to tackle the record patient demand being experienced in the region,” he said.

“This builds on the $84 million commitment to build an extra wing on the hospital, adding 78 additional hospital beds.

“The expanded ED will provide additional clinical areas to assess and treat adult and paediatric emergency presentations.

The design will incorporate the most recent developments in innovative patient care and patient flow through the ED.

“It will help the Townsville district tackle the unprecedented numbers of patients flowing through the hospital right now. It shows the Bligh Government’s commitment towards improving health services in the region.”

Mr Robertson said he was also pleased the Budget delivered on the State Government’s commitments to a new $405 million hospital for Mackay and major upgrades for Cairns (anticipated $450 million) and Mount Isa ($65 million).

“We’re also ramping up the planning and development of three brand new tertiary hospitals in South East Queensland,” he said.

“In fact, a significant cash injection has been provided to ensure our hospital planners draw up the best possible fit and include the necessary services for each project.

“The Queensland Children’s Hospital budget is now $1 billion with nearly $100 million to be spent in 2008-09.

“We also plan to spend around $100 million on the Gold Coast University Hospital project which is now $1.55 billion.

“Around $30 million will be spent on the Sunshine Coast where the new hospital project at Kawana is now worth $1.2 billion.”

Mr Robertson said other significant capital works projects in this year’s Budget include:

·$23.1 million Browns Plains Health Precinct, $21 million Caboolture Health Precinct, $27 million Robina Health Precinct, $15 million Sunshine Coast Health Precinct and $52 million North Lakes Health Precinct;

·$41.1 million Bundaberg Hospital redevelopment;

·$135.2 million Prince Charles Hospital redevelopment;

·$42.5 million Innisfail Hospital redevelopment;

·$11 million Dalby Hospital Outpatients, Emergency Department and Maternity project;

·$70.3 million Princess Alexandra Hospital redevelopment;

·$74 million Rockhampton Hospital redevelopment;

·$240 million Robina Hospital expansion and $42.2 million Robina Hospital emergency department and intensive care unit project;

·$12.7 million Miles Hospital redevelopment;

·$34.5 million QEII Hospital elective surgery centre;

·$16 million Gladstone Community, Mental Health and Oral Health Services development;

·$39 million Thursday Island Chronic Disease Centre; $45.8 million Weipa Hospital redevelopment, $12.5 million Hope Vale Primary Health Care Centre, $15.8 million Yarrabah Primary Health Care Centre, $6.9 million Erub (Darnley) Island Primary Health Care Centre, $5.7 million Saibai Island Primary Health Care Centre, $4.8 million Warraber Island Primary Health Care Centre and $2.6 million Wondai Primary Health Care Centre; and

·$15.2 million improvements to Queensland Health Forensic Science Services at Coopers Plains.

3 June,  2008
MEDIA: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185