Townsville hospital to be expanded

The Palaszczuk Government has launched planning for the expansion of the Townsville University Hospital to deliver even better public healthcare for the region.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services Steven Miles said this again demonstrated the Government’s commitment to both grow our health system to meet demand, and also upgrade existing hospitals to ensure local communities have access to modern contemporary facilities.

“The business case for the expansion of the Townsville University Hospital will investigate options to increase capacity by delivering more inpatient beds and additional surgery capacity,” Mr Miles said.

Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke said the Townsville Hospital and Health Service had developed the Townsville University Hospital Master Plan to guide the expansion project to address future health service demands.

“This careful planning will ensure Townsville University Hospital has the infrastructure required to continue to meet the current and future health needs of the region,” Ms O’Rourke said.

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart welcomed the announcement.

“Townsville University Hospital is experiencing significant service and infrastructure pressure due to several factors including a growing and ageing population and increasing demand for services,” Mr Stewart said.

“An expansion will maintain and strengthen the hospital’s regional tertiary referral role in North Queensland, as well as improving patient care and safety, and deliver increased capacity to address changing health service demands into the future.”

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said this is another great example of the Palaszczuk Government delivering better access to health care for Queenslanders.

“Our hospital takes care of Queenslanders from some of the most remote places in the state as well as our local Townsville community,” Mr Harper said.

“Townsville University Hospital is the only tertiary referral hospital in northern Australia. It provides health services to the North Queensland population from Mackay to the Torres Strait”

The Palaszczuk Government is committing funding of $1.5 million for the preliminary business case for the Townsville University Hospital expansion.

ENDS

Media contact:               Katharine Wright – 0428 957 903