New $6.9 million Gin Gin Hospital officially opened

Health Minister Stephen Robertson officially opened Gin Gin’s new $6.9 million hospital today in a boost for health services in the region.

Mr Robertson said the redeveloped hospital and new $1.6 million staff accommodation buildings were the centrepieces of a growing health precinct in Gin Gin.

“This new state-of-the-art hospital has six acute and two day treatment beds and a fully equipped 24-hour emergency department,” he said.

“It will provide community and child health services and a range of additional health services which will meet the growing community’s health care needs now and into the future.

“These include weekly speech pathology and fortnightly physiotherapy services from visiting Bundaberg Hospital clinicians, as well as weekly visits by Community Mental Health through Childers Hospital.

“The Gin Gin community has fought hard for a new hospital and the Bligh Government is proud to be delivering locals these important new facilities.

“They’re part of a strong health precinct in Gin Gin, which includes Kolan Gardens Aged Care, the Ambulance Station and two local surgeries.”

Mr Robertson said the emergency department had seen 936 patients since opening in May, with a further 74 hospital admissions, 24 visits to the Child Health Nurse and 214 outpatient-type appointments.

He said the hospital’s new $1.6 million staff quarters housed three stand alone, fully self-contained buildings, each with two double bedrooms.

“These quarters provide clinicians with safe, secure accommodation and they are already being used by relieving doctors and nursing staff,” he said.

“The buildings are an important part of our continuing commitment to attracting and retaining the quality health staff who are so important to our rural communities.”

Mr Robertson said Queensland Health had transferred Gin Gin Hospital’s existing ten high care nursing home licences to Kolan Gardens, adjacent to the hospital, following extensive consultation with stakeholders.

“The State Government is working with Bundaberg Regional Council on the transfer of 1.24 hectares from the Gin Gin hospital site for the future expansion of Kolan Gardens,” he said.

“This is all part of our commitment to providing Queenslanders with sustainable health services, no matter where they live.”

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