Record Health budget for Toowoomba and Darling Downs

The Palaszczuk Government will invest more than $801 million in healthcare in the Darling Downs region in 2018-19, a record health investment for the region that includes 31 new beds at Toowoomba Hospital.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said the budget reflected the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to providing quality health services in regional Queensland.

“No matter where you live in the Darling Downs region, you will have access to high-quality health care,” he said.

“Tomorrow’s State Budget will deliver on the healthcare commitments we made to Queenslanders at the election.

“Our State Budget will include a record $18.3 billion for health services and infrastructure in Queensland in 2018-19.”

Minister Miles said Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service (HHS) would have an operating budget of $801.1 million in 2018-19, almost $40 million more than the previous financial year.

“We’re investing an extra $15.9 million in growth funding to help our hardworking doctors and nurses meet the growing demand for services particularly in our hospital emergency departments,” Mr Miles said.

“This funding will also support the opening of an additional 31 beds at the Toowoomba Hospital.

“We promised more support for our health system – and in this budget that’s exactly what we’re delivering.”

Priorities for the region in 2018-19 include:

• $1.5 million for gastrointestinal endoscopy services
• $400,000 for in community mental health treatment services
• $250,000 to coordinate and deliver health services to refugees
• $20 million toward the $62 million Kingaroy Hospital redevelopment to ensure the South Burnett community has access to better healthcare facilities closer to home
• $3 million to commence the detailed business case for the Toowoomba Hospital Redevelopment

Mr Miles said the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service, which operates 28 hospitals and health facilities, excelled in providing high-quality health care to about 280,000 in an area spanning 88,650 square kilometres.

Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service serves communities in the Darling Downs, South Burnett, Southern Downs and Western Downs and Toowoomba.

ENDS

Media contact: Katharine Wright – 0428 957 903 / Amy Hunter - 0423 651 484