Published Friday, 10 October, 2008 at 05:55 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
BLIGH FAST-TRACKS TOWNSVILLE HOSPITAL UPGRADE
Premier Anna Bligh has fast-tracked upgrades to Townsville Hospital bed numbers and the emergency department.
Ms Bligh announced the decision following a visit to Townsville Hospital, with local MPs Mike Reynolds (Townsville), Lindy Nelson-Carr (Mundingburra) and Craig Wallace (Thuringowa).
“I met doctors and nurses face to face today and I understand better than ever the pressure that they are under, and what this means for their patients,” she said.
“Today I made it clear that I wanted this project to be fast-tracked, to deal with the pressures of today and to prepare for the growth of tomorrow.
“That is why we are fast-tracking work in four key areas.”
1) Open six extra Emergency Department bays by peak season next year.
2) Fast track the construction of the new wing of the hospital, to come on line by peak season in 2011.
3) This new wing will include two floors to help deal with increasing capacity into the future.
4) This new wing also will deliver an expanded Emergency Department, with a capacity more than double the capacity of the current Emergency Department.
The Government committed to an extra 78 new beds by 2012. Of these, eight have been opened, another 30 beds will be opened by peak season 2009, and the final 40 beds will be delivered by 2011, as part of the new wing.
“We are ready to take the next steps,” Ms Bligh said.
“To allow for the 30 new beds, administrative functions will be moved out of the current hospital commencing next month to make way for building work to commence.
“The project team has been confirmed and is in place, and the master plan for the new wing is complete.”
Media contact: Premier’s Office (07) 3224 4500
Ms Bligh announced the decision following a visit to Townsville Hospital, with local MPs Mike Reynolds (Townsville), Lindy Nelson-Carr (Mundingburra) and Craig Wallace (Thuringowa).
“I met doctors and nurses face to face today and I understand better than ever the pressure that they are under, and what this means for their patients,” she said.
“Today I made it clear that I wanted this project to be fast-tracked, to deal with the pressures of today and to prepare for the growth of tomorrow.
“That is why we are fast-tracking work in four key areas.”
1) Open six extra Emergency Department bays by peak season next year.
2) Fast track the construction of the new wing of the hospital, to come on line by peak season in 2011.
3) This new wing will include two floors to help deal with increasing capacity into the future.
4) This new wing also will deliver an expanded Emergency Department, with a capacity more than double the capacity of the current Emergency Department.
The Government committed to an extra 78 new beds by 2012. Of these, eight have been opened, another 30 beds will be opened by peak season 2009, and the final 40 beds will be delivered by 2011, as part of the new wing.
“We are ready to take the next steps,” Ms Bligh said.
“To allow for the 30 new beds, administrative functions will be moved out of the current hospital commencing next month to make way for building work to commence.
“The project team has been confirmed and is in place, and the master plan for the new wing is complete.”
Media contact: Premier’s Office (07) 3224 4500