Published Sunday, 14 September, 2008 at 12:00 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
SOUTH BRISBANE SITE FOR CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL
Premier Anna Bligh and Health Minister Stephen Robertson today announced a new $1.1 billion Queensland Children’s Hospital will go ahead at the South Brisbane site next to the Mater.
”This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a world class hospital for future generations of children and young people,” Premier Bligh said.
“We are committed to making Queensland stronger, smarter and healthier and the new Queensland Children’s Hospital is a part of this vision,” she said.
The announcement comes five days after a joint Queensland Health and AMAQ forum considered the future delivery of paediatric services in Queensland.
A report on the forum from the Director-General was provided to Health Minister Stephen Robertson last week, and then to Premier Anna Bligh.
The report was discussed by the Cabinet Budget Review Committee and careful consideration was given to feedback from last weekend’s forum, which showed overwhelming support for a single children’s hospital.
Some 140 forum representatives agreed that a single children’s hospital was the best way forward for paediatric health care in Queensland, and participants were almost evenly divided on sites at South Brisbane or Herston.
“All participants agreed, that in the best interests of children’s health, the Government should not lose momentum in building the new Queensland Children’s Hospital, and the funding made available for the new hospital should be used wisely,” Ms Bligh said.
“After careful deliberation, the Committee made the decision to go ahead with building on the South Brisbane site,” she said.
Health Minister Stephen Robertson said consideration had been given to finding an alternate site for the hospital, however, it would have meant significant delays and escalation of costs.
“We have committed $68.3 million to the project to date and changing the site would add up to $175 million, as well as a 12-18 month delay,” Mr Robertson said.
“In confirming the decision to locate the new Queensland Children’s Hospital in South Brisbane, we will continue to build on the substantial planning by the project team and numerous clinicians, families, children and young people to create a world-class hospital,” he said.
“Meticulous planning and ongoing engagement of staff and patients and families will continue as we plan the move of tertiary services from the Herston campus.
“In establishing the Hospital on the South Brisbane site we will draw on the existing research, teaching, women’s services, adult services and private hospital services at Mater Hill, while retaining strong and effective links with the research and teaching precinct at Herston,” he said.
Mr Robertson said the South Brisbane site had land suitable for expansion that was ready now, requiring minimal demolition with good site construction access.
“High level street visibility, better public transport access, proximity to South Bank’s recreational facilities and cultural precinct, as well as collocation with the State’s largest maternity service, makes it very attractive for families and users,” he said.
“Northside families can be assured that they will continue to have access to emergency services through a dedicated paediatric emergency department on the northside.
“The Government’s vision for a new Queensland Children’s Hospital goes far beyond providing excellent facilities and services in Brisbane, it also extends to the co-ordination of wider tertiary paediatric services around the State.
“The Queensland Children’s Hospital will be the hub of a statewide network and not just cater for children and young people in Queensland’s south-east.”
Mr Robertson said a unique agreement between Mater Health Services and Queensland Health that secures the new Queensland Children’s Hospital as a Queensland Government-owned facility for at least 90 years will be approved by Government in November.
“The new Queensland Children’s Hospital will be governed and managed entirely by Queensland Health,” Mr Robertson said.
Ms Bligh said she had written to the Prime Minister advising the Queensland Government would be making an application for funding for the project from the Health and Hospitals fund, to establish a new research facility on the site.
“The Prime Minister and I have had some very fruitful discussions already.
“The Queensland Children’s Hospital is a commitment by the Government to the health and well-being of future generations of Queenslanders and we look forward to the journey ahead,” she said.
Media contact: Lorann Downer, Premier’s Office 0439 716 228
14 September 2008
”This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create a world class hospital for future generations of children and young people,” Premier Bligh said.
“We are committed to making Queensland stronger, smarter and healthier and the new Queensland Children’s Hospital is a part of this vision,” she said.
The announcement comes five days after a joint Queensland Health and AMAQ forum considered the future delivery of paediatric services in Queensland.
A report on the forum from the Director-General was provided to Health Minister Stephen Robertson last week, and then to Premier Anna Bligh.
The report was discussed by the Cabinet Budget Review Committee and careful consideration was given to feedback from last weekend’s forum, which showed overwhelming support for a single children’s hospital.
Some 140 forum representatives agreed that a single children’s hospital was the best way forward for paediatric health care in Queensland, and participants were almost evenly divided on sites at South Brisbane or Herston.
“All participants agreed, that in the best interests of children’s health, the Government should not lose momentum in building the new Queensland Children’s Hospital, and the funding made available for the new hospital should be used wisely,” Ms Bligh said.
“After careful deliberation, the Committee made the decision to go ahead with building on the South Brisbane site,” she said.
Health Minister Stephen Robertson said consideration had been given to finding an alternate site for the hospital, however, it would have meant significant delays and escalation of costs.
“We have committed $68.3 million to the project to date and changing the site would add up to $175 million, as well as a 12-18 month delay,” Mr Robertson said.
“In confirming the decision to locate the new Queensland Children’s Hospital in South Brisbane, we will continue to build on the substantial planning by the project team and numerous clinicians, families, children and young people to create a world-class hospital,” he said.
“Meticulous planning and ongoing engagement of staff and patients and families will continue as we plan the move of tertiary services from the Herston campus.
“In establishing the Hospital on the South Brisbane site we will draw on the existing research, teaching, women’s services, adult services and private hospital services at Mater Hill, while retaining strong and effective links with the research and teaching precinct at Herston,” he said.
Mr Robertson said the South Brisbane site had land suitable for expansion that was ready now, requiring minimal demolition with good site construction access.
“High level street visibility, better public transport access, proximity to South Bank’s recreational facilities and cultural precinct, as well as collocation with the State’s largest maternity service, makes it very attractive for families and users,” he said.
“Northside families can be assured that they will continue to have access to emergency services through a dedicated paediatric emergency department on the northside.
“The Government’s vision for a new Queensland Children’s Hospital goes far beyond providing excellent facilities and services in Brisbane, it also extends to the co-ordination of wider tertiary paediatric services around the State.
“The Queensland Children’s Hospital will be the hub of a statewide network and not just cater for children and young people in Queensland’s south-east.”
Mr Robertson said a unique agreement between Mater Health Services and Queensland Health that secures the new Queensland Children’s Hospital as a Queensland Government-owned facility for at least 90 years will be approved by Government in November.
“The new Queensland Children’s Hospital will be governed and managed entirely by Queensland Health,” Mr Robertson said.
Ms Bligh said she had written to the Prime Minister advising the Queensland Government would be making an application for funding for the project from the Health and Hospitals fund, to establish a new research facility on the site.
“The Prime Minister and I have had some very fruitful discussions already.
“The Queensland Children’s Hospital is a commitment by the Government to the health and well-being of future generations of Queenslanders and we look forward to the journey ahead,” she said.
Media contact: Lorann Downer, Premier’s Office 0439 716 228
14 September 2008