Community groups have their say on Cairns Base Hospital redevelopment

Community participation in the redevelopment of Cairns Base Hospital began today with the inaugural meeting of the project’s Stakeholder Reference Group.

Health Minister Stephen Robertson said the committee’s focus was to ensure the Cairns hospital project met the needs of the community.

“The redevelopment of the hospital is more than the construction of new buildings and refurbishing the existing hospital facilities,” Mr Robertson said.

“It’s important we receive input from a broad cross-section of the people and organisations that make up the Cairns and Far North Queensland population to ensure the community’s requirements are met.

Mr Robertson said the meeting today was an introduction to the project for the 16 members of the group.

“However I expect future bi-monthly meetings will see a great deal of constructive and enthusiastic input from the members.

The community-based group includes representatives from James Cook University, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, General Practice Cairns, the Cairns Chamber of Commerce, indigenous communities, COUCH (Committee for Oncology Unit Cairns Hospital) and the Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation.

Also represented are the Tablelands Regional Council, employment and training organisations such as TAFE, the Queensland Ambulance Service, Disability Services Queensland, the Queensland Nurses Union and the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers Union.

Mr Robertson said the Stakeholder Reference Group was separate to the community consultation forums which will take place in early 2009.

“These forums will give other members of the public the opportunity to attend a presentation on the overall hospital redevelopment plan and provide comments,” he said.

The $446 million hospital redevelopment will provide a range of new and improved clinical services to the people of Far North Queensland.

Demolition work has commenced on the corner of Lake and Grove Streets to make way for the new hospital carpark and Block E, for which construction will start next year.

Completion of the new clinical services building is expected towards the end of 2012.

Media contacts:

Minister’s Office: Kate Van Poelgeest 3234 1185 or 0458 449 267

Cairns and Hinterland Health Service District – Jim Guthrie 07 4050 8320

Major Hospitals Project Office - Tim Martin 07 3006 2843