Health Minister listens to Rockhampton Hospital staff on redevelopment

Health Minister Stephen Robertson today announced an expansion to the redevelopment of Rockhampton Hospital’s Emergency Department.

Mr Robertson said an extra $1 million would be spent to provide even more ED services as part of the larger $74 million redevelopment of Rockhampton Hospital.

“On a visit to the hospital in August, the Director of Emergency Medicine emphasised a significant increase in the number of presentations to the ED,” Mr Robertson said

“In the past three years presentations have jumped 13 per cent, with nearly 10,000 Central Queenslanders seeking treatment at their local hospital in the June 2008 quarter.

“During my visit clinical staff expressed concern that the planned redevelopment of the Emergency Department may not be large enough to handle the increased numbers of patients seeking treatment.

“I am pleased to announce today that after listening to staff on the ground, I have approved a further expansion to the hospital’s ED at a cost of $1 million.

“The expansion will provide an additional 12 treatment bays and will include a transit area, a larger observation bay and a fast track paediatric area.

“This is money well spent, and will further strengthen existing local health services.”

State Member for Rockhampton Robert Schwarten said construction on the new ED was due to get underway tomorrow.

“Tomorrow morning, the project will take a significant step forward with the commencement of construction and the pouring of the first concrete slab,” Mr Schwarten said.

“This is an important milestone in a project which will deliver a major expansion of health services in Central Queensland. “

State Member for Keppel Paul Hoolihan said the Bligh Government’s Q2 vision committed it to making Queensland’s public hospital waiting times the shortest in Australia by 2020.

“This includes waiting times for emergency treatment, and the further expansion of the Rockhampton Hospital ED will help us deliver on this commitment,” he said.

Mr Hoolihan said the expansion would ensure local residents had access to the first class health services they expect and deserve.

MEDIA: Catherine Goldie 0417 728 676