State Budget kickstarts $62M Kingaroy Hospital redevelopment

Kingaroy Hospital will undergo a redevelopment worth about $62 million, with the Palaszczuk Government committing $8 million in the 2017-18 State Budget to begin the vital project.

Health and Ambulance Services Minister Cameron Dick said the overhaul would increase the range of surgical services and improve the hospital’s role as a hub for trauma, paediatric, obstetric, rehabilitation and mental health services.

“The redevelopment will enable the delivery of contemporary and future models of care for the entire community into the future,” Mr Dick said.

“This project will also respond to future growth in health service delivery by expanding the number of patient treatment spaces from 46 to 66, illustrating the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to providing the highest quality healthcare to rural and regional areas of Queensland.

“Everyone living in and around Kingaroy would agree the current hospital has served the community well since it was built in 1938. In fact, many in the Darling Downs have been both born there and treated there while adults.

“But, the population has both increased and aged over the past 79 years. We are seeing higher levels of chronic disease in both the Darling Downs and statewide. This is placing increased demand on the hospital and staff.

“Early work will commence after the design is finalised in early 2018 and construction is expected to commence in late 2018. The new hospital is expected to be ready to take patients in early 2021.”

Mr Dick said Kingaroy Hospital’s redevelopment was part of the Palaszczuk Government’s investment of $208.4 million over the next four years for essential infrastructure upgrades to regional and rural hospitals across Queensland.

“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to making Queenslanders among the healthiest people in the world by 2026 and this means improving access to quality and safe healthcare in all its different forms and settings,’’ Mr Dick said.

“Not only is our government improving healthcare by delivering better infrastructure and services, we are also employing more health staff after the Newman-Nicholls LNP Government took its axe to the health system.

“Since coming to government, 46 doctors and 200 nurses and midwifes have been added to DDHHS.”

For more information about the 2017-18 Budget, visit budget.qld.gov.au.

Media contact:

Michelle Wellington 0437 323 834