Planning underway for new $2.7 million renal dialysis unit in Longreach

A new $2.7 million, nurse-assisted, two-chair dialysis unit is expected to be operational at Longreach Hospital by the second half of 2022.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Central West Hospital and Health Service had been allocated funding as part of the government’s expansion of rural and remote renal dialysis services.

The Premier said today’s announcement was part of the government’s $27.7 million election commitment to deliver 33 renal dialysis treatment spaces across regional Queensland.

“Keeping Queenslanders safe and creating jobs are my two main priorities. This investment in new health infrastructure achieves both of those aims,” the Premier said.

“This investment will mean care closer to home for many people in regional, rural and remote areas of Queensland.

“I know it’s tough on the people who have to travel to receive dialysis and their families.

“This is about providing better care closer to home for Queenslanders, no matter where they live.”

The Premier said Central West Health had commissioned the drafting of initial structural designs for the proposed new dialysis unit at Longreach.

“Across regional and rural Queensland, 33 additional renal dialysis treatment spaces will be built and opened, including the ones at Longreach Hospital,” the Premier said.

“This project will support 27 construction jobs in these regions and see 18 additional health workers and nurses hired.’’

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said the proposed new dialysis unit would be located on the ground floor of the South Wing of Longreach Hospital, close to the Allied Health service.

“These plans are expected to be completed by the end of May, after which the project will move to the development of full schematic designs and overall planning for the new unit,’’ she said.

“This will be an extended process, which will also require the recruitment and appointment of specialised nurses to support the service.

“Nurse-assisted dialysis is a complex service to deliver, requiring on-site medical support, specialised nursing staff and access to a consistent number of patients over an extended period to be sustainable.

“Patient safety must always be our primary consideration when delivering any health service such as a new renal dialysis unit.

“With these considerations in mind, the current timeline is for the new Longreach unit to be fully operational by the second half of 2022.’’

ENDS

Media contact:
Jack Harbour (Premier’s office) 0419 620 447
Lucy Collier (Health Minister’s office) 0409 461 324