BLIGH CALLS ON COMMUNITY: NAME NEW HOSPITAL WING IN HONOUR OF LOCAL HERO

A wing of the brand new $20.6 million Capricorn Coast Hospital and Health Service will be named by the local community, Premier Anna Bligh announced today.

Ms Bligh was in Yeppoon to announce a local naming competition, to be judged by State Member for Keppel Paul Hoolihan, Morning Bulletin Editor Frazer Pearce, ABC Capricornia announcer Jacquie Mackay, Health Community Council Chair Lorna Moxham, and Yeppoon State High School captains Megan Chalk and Alex Tanglao.

“This brand new hospital is about delivering better health services to the local community, and I think it is fitting that they community have an opportunity to put their own stamp on it,” Ms Bligh said.

“Today, I’m calling on Yeppoon residents to nominate their local community hero as the namesake of the state-of-the-art acute wing that will include an Emergency Department, inpatient beds and x-ray imaging,” Ms Bligh said.

“It could be someone that’s made an overwhelming contribution to health care in the region, to a local school teacher, to a long serving surf lifesaver to a volunteer who has made a difference in someone’s life.

“I urge the Yeppoon community to get involved and put forward their ideas,” she said.

Entries can be submitted to keppel@parliament.qld.gov.au and close April 17. The winner will be announced at the opening of the new hospital.

Ms Bligh said construction of the new hospital was well advanced, with the internal fit out underway. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of June, with commissioning to follow in July and August.

“The new Capricorn Coast Hospital and Health Service is very much on track to be delivered mid-year,” she said.

“It will cater for future growth in the fast-growing Capricorn Coast region, servicing residents from Yeppoon, Zilzie, Emu Park and Byfield.

“We’re creating a whole new heath precinct to house Community, Mental and Oral Health facilities on the same site as the hospital campus.”

Ms Bligh said the acute wing would provide:

o22 inpatient beds (including 4 rehabilitation and 2 palliative care);

oan emergency department (1 resuscitation bay, 1 procedure room, 2 recovery beds, 6 cubicles and 1 isolation room);

oan imaging department with general x-ray room and space for a CT scanner, for which a private sector operator will be sought.

“The community health wing will accommodate teams currently located in the Queensland Health-owned building in Yeppoon,” Ms Bligh said.

“It will house allied health services, including a rehabilitation gym which will provide physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy.

“The community health wing will also include a four-chair oral health facility.”

Member for Keppel Paul Hoolihan said a General Practitioner’s private practice had been incorporated in the plan, allowing for the possibility of future expansion.

He said the new hospital would deliver vital local jobs at a time when Queenslanders needed them most.

“The project will also deliver an important boost to the local economy, creating the equivalent of 123 full-time jobs,” he said.

“And it will ensure Yeppoon residents have access to sustainable health services, now and in the future.”

17 February 2009

Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s office)