50 BED BOOST FOR LOGAN HOSPITAL REDEVELOPMENT: NATIONAL HEALTH REFORM DELIVERING

The upgrade of Logan Hospital has been given a shot in the arm with a boost of $175 million in new funding from the Gillard Government to deliver 50 new beds and a new emergency department (ED) building.

This additional funding means the total Commonwealth and State investment in this busy south-side hospital will now be more than $230 million, including funding for the bricks and mortar infrastructure as well as the money required to operate the new services.

Commonwealth Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon and Queensland Minister for Health Geoff Wilson today said the new funding would more than triple the capital works budget for the hospital upgrade.

“The $175 million in new funding for Logan comes as a result of the historic health reform agreement signed by the Commonwealth Government and the States,” Ms Roxon said.

“It is part of a $675 million package to assist Queensland meet tough new hospital performance targets to treat patients in clinically appropriate times.

“Giving hospitals the resources they need for more beds and better care is an absolute priority for the Gillard Government through national health reform.

“This is more evidence that national health reform is already paying dividends for Queenslanders,” Ms Roxon said.

Mr Wilson said the funding boost was more than welcome news for one of Queensland’s busiest public hospitals, which sees about 63,000 attendances in its ED each year.

“A new ED, more beds and more elective surgery are some of the major improvements slated for Logan Hospital through this project,” Mr Wilson said.

“Work will begin this year and the project will be complete by late 2013.

“The tripling of the scale of the project is a great example of how the Bligh and Gillard Governments are working together to deliver improved health services to the Logan community.”

The additional funding for Logan Hospital expansion project will deliver:

• a new expanded emergency department in a multi-story building with increased capacity;
• 14 new paediatric overnight beds;
• 12 new inpatient beds, two new procedure rooms and six new day ward recovery spaces in a new ward for elective surgery and 23-hour care;
• 24 rehabilitation beds in a new a sub-acute rehabilitation ward including day therapy and a gym;
• improved site access with an additional entrance to the emergency department and car parking;
• workplace facilities for medical and other staff and new education space; and
• funding for Logan Hospital to improve access for patients to receive timely care for surgery and emergency treatment.

This is in addition to the previous commitments to Logan Hospital to deliver eight paediatric short stay beds, 18 adult emergency treatment spaces, 12 paediatric emergency treatment spaces and three paediatric outpatient consultation rooms.

Federal Member for Rankin and Minister for Trade Craig Emerson said that the upgrade to Logan Hospital is great news for families of the outer southern suburbs of Brisbane.

“This on-the-ground delivery of health reform for the people of Logan is great news and is another sign the Gillard Government is continuing to make head-way in improving our health system,” Mr Emerson said.

“The original redevelopment plans were set to deliver an expanded ED with 82 treatment spaces, more than double the size of the existing ED.

“And now, as a result of this new funding a brand new multi-storey building will be constructed and the new ED will call this building home.”

State Member for Waterford Evan Moorhead said this was great news for local families and for locals waiting for procedures.

“This funding is an excellent boost for the Logan community because it means more services will be delivered locally,” Mr Waterford said.

“There will now be more elective surgery capacity, including two new procedure rooms in the new building.

“A 23-hour day ward will be provided in refurbished space in the existing hospital to free up access for ward beds and take pressure off Logan Hospital’s very busy ED.

“This funding also means the redevelopment will deliver dedicated services to ensure that sick children can be treated locally, including 14 paediatric overnight beds.

“A new sub-acute rehabilitation ward will also be housed in the new building.

“This ward – which will include 24 rehabilitation beds and a gym – is great news for Logan Hospital patients undergoing rehabilitation.”

Ends.

Minister Roxon media contact: 0409 945 476
Minister Wilson media contact: 0408 701 409