Published Friday, 05 December, 2008 at 01:41 PM
Minister for Health
The Honourable Stephen Robertson
SICK KIDS FIRST ON THE LNP SCRAP HEAP
The Liberal National Party have today announced sick kids will be the first to suffer at the hands of a Springborg government.
Health Minister Stephen Robertson said in yet another policy backflip deputy leader Mark McArdle today announced the Queensland Children’s Hospital would be the first project scrapped under a Liberal National government.
“Earlier this week the Liberal National Party made it clear they would cut major projects around the State, resulting in thousands of job losses,” Mr Robertson said.
“Now we are told the first project considered ‘de-necessary’ is the very project designed to care for our most vulnerable patients – Queensland’s sickest children.
“By September next year we will have committed $205 million to this important project – money the Liberal National's are prepared to pour down the drain in an attempt to score cheap political points.
“All of the evidence is there that a single stand alone children’s hospital is best practice and will provide world-class health, teaching, and research facilities,” Mr Robertson said.
“On top of that the joint AMAQ and Queensland Health forum confirmed the new QCH had the overwhelming support of senior clinicians across the State.
“This is about providing a world-class facility that we know to be best practice for Queensland’s sickest children.
"This was endorsed by the Coalition at the last election when they too committed to building a 'single, integrated, purpose-built new Queensland Children's Hospital'.
Mr Robertson said the QCH was just one part of a State wide paediatric plan announced earlier this year – a fact Mr McArdle conveniently forgets when claiming the idea as his own.
“Once again the Opposition has demonstrated how lazy they are.
“A state wide paediatric plan is a good idea – that is why we are already doing it.
“Senior clinicians from across the State are involved in developing a comprehensive, integrated paediatric clinical services plan that will deliver world-class care to all Queensland children.
Mr Robertson said Mr McArdle’s allegations the QCH would not have enough patient accommodation were absolutely false.
“We have worked very hard to design a family-centred facility.
“Rooms at the new QCH will have a bed for a parent to sleep in if required.
“There will be an on-site suite for parents with children in the intensive care and high dependency units, and we are currently talking to key providers such as Ronald McDonald house about providing more family accommodation close by.
Mr Robertson said the Opposition also had the detail wrong on the hospital’s capacity.
“I have publicly stated on a number of occasions the new Queensland Children’s Hospital would cater for our growing population.
“Capacity will rise from our current combined 288 beds across both hospitals to 359 beds, as well as 78 beds in the Mater Private Children’s Hospital, when the QCH is fully commissioned in 2014.
“As well as retaining a dedicated paediatric emergency department on the north side, the QCH emergency department will be 20 per cent larger than the combined current size of departments at the Royal Children’s Hospital and Mater Children’s emergency departments.
“Furthermore we are still negotiating the details of the school with Education Queensland.
Mr Robertson said if Mr McArdle would like more information about the QCH he could go to www.health.qld.gov.au/childrenshospital, or contact his office to arrange a comprehensive and informative briefing.
Ends.
MEDIA: Kate Van Poelgeest 3234 1185 or 0458 449 267
Attached: Queensland Coalition policy 048
Media Release: Queensland Coalition commits to creation of Queensland Children's Hospital, March 2006.
Health Minister Stephen Robertson said in yet another policy backflip deputy leader Mark McArdle today announced the Queensland Children’s Hospital would be the first project scrapped under a Liberal National government.
“Earlier this week the Liberal National Party made it clear they would cut major projects around the State, resulting in thousands of job losses,” Mr Robertson said.
“Now we are told the first project considered ‘de-necessary’ is the very project designed to care for our most vulnerable patients – Queensland’s sickest children.
“By September next year we will have committed $205 million to this important project – money the Liberal National's are prepared to pour down the drain in an attempt to score cheap political points.
“All of the evidence is there that a single stand alone children’s hospital is best practice and will provide world-class health, teaching, and research facilities,” Mr Robertson said.
“On top of that the joint AMAQ and Queensland Health forum confirmed the new QCH had the overwhelming support of senior clinicians across the State.
“This is about providing a world-class facility that we know to be best practice for Queensland’s sickest children.
"This was endorsed by the Coalition at the last election when they too committed to building a 'single, integrated, purpose-built new Queensland Children's Hospital'.
Mr Robertson said the QCH was just one part of a State wide paediatric plan announced earlier this year – a fact Mr McArdle conveniently forgets when claiming the idea as his own.
“Once again the Opposition has demonstrated how lazy they are.
“A state wide paediatric plan is a good idea – that is why we are already doing it.
“Senior clinicians from across the State are involved in developing a comprehensive, integrated paediatric clinical services plan that will deliver world-class care to all Queensland children.
Mr Robertson said Mr McArdle’s allegations the QCH would not have enough patient accommodation were absolutely false.
“We have worked very hard to design a family-centred facility.
“Rooms at the new QCH will have a bed for a parent to sleep in if required.
“There will be an on-site suite for parents with children in the intensive care and high dependency units, and we are currently talking to key providers such as Ronald McDonald house about providing more family accommodation close by.
Mr Robertson said the Opposition also had the detail wrong on the hospital’s capacity.
“I have publicly stated on a number of occasions the new Queensland Children’s Hospital would cater for our growing population.
“Capacity will rise from our current combined 288 beds across both hospitals to 359 beds, as well as 78 beds in the Mater Private Children’s Hospital, when the QCH is fully commissioned in 2014.
“As well as retaining a dedicated paediatric emergency department on the north side, the QCH emergency department will be 20 per cent larger than the combined current size of departments at the Royal Children’s Hospital and Mater Children’s emergency departments.
“Furthermore we are still negotiating the details of the school with Education Queensland.
Mr Robertson said if Mr McArdle would like more information about the QCH he could go to www.health.qld.gov.au/childrenshospital, or contact his office to arrange a comprehensive and informative briefing.
Ends.
MEDIA: Kate Van Poelgeest 3234 1185 or 0458 449 267
Attached: Queensland Coalition policy 048
Media Release: Queensland Coalition commits to creation of Queensland Children's Hospital, March 2006.