Extra beds for booming Gold Coast community

The Palaszczuk Government will deliver 60 new treatment spaces for health services in the booming Gold Coast community. 

There will be 40 beds at Gold Coast University Hospital and Robina Hospital plus 20 new treatment spaces in a dedicated stabilisation facility to assist people experiencing a mental health crisis. 

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles said the expansion would help Gold Coast Health provide more responsive health care and better health facilities.

“Demand for public healthcare has continued to grow and we anticipate our hardworking doctors and nurses across the Gold Coast will treat more than 1.7 million people this financial year – 10 percent more than they did the year before.

“To keep up with demand we’re adding extra beds and making sure Gold Coast Health has the staff it needs,” Mr Miles said.

“We’re also employing more doctors, nurses and allied health professionals than ever before - this year’s budget invests in 322 more staff employed locally on the Gold Coast.”

This financial year Gold Coast Health saw nearly 191,000 inpatients (7 percent increase on last year), a million outpatients visits (6 percent increase), 177,000 emergency presentations (3 percent increase) and 357,000 people in prevention and primary care, which includes Breastscreen and Oral Health.

Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon welcomed the announcement.

“With more beds and a focus on preventive health we’re improving health outcomes for people across the Gold Coast.”

Ms Scanlon said the new mental health facility would feature 20 treatment spaces.

“Gold Coast Health will be the first health service in Australia to introduce a crisis stabilisation facility to support people experiencing an acute mental health crisis and take the pressure off Gold Coast hospital emergency departments which are among the busiest in Australia,” Ms Scanlon said.

The facility will offer a 24-hour crisis line, a mobile crisis team and a dedicated facility to treat people experiencing a mental health crisis. 

“The facility will provide a warm and supportive environment for people experiencing an acute mental health crisis, rather than the busy clinical environment within an emergency department.”

“Experienced clinical mental health staff, such as psychiatrists, allied health and nurses, will be working in the new facilities to provide assessment and treatment.”

The facility is expected to open next year, after consultation with staff and other stakeholders.

ENDS

Media contact:            Amy Hunter 0423 651 484