Ripley Satellite Hospital to open its doors this month

• The Ripley Satellite Hospital will open to patients on Wednesday, 30 August 2023.
• The facility will feature a minor illness and injury clinic, as well as treatment spaces for paediatric care, obstetrics and gynaecology, oral health, BreastScreen and mental health services.
• The Premier and Health Minister joined local MPs to open the facility at the community open day today.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Health Minister Shannon Fentiman have joined local MPs to welcome West Moreton locals to the Ripley Satellite Hospital community open day.

Today, locals will have a sneak peek ahead of the Satellite Hospital’s opening on Wednesday, 30 August.

The facility includes a Minor Injury and Illness Clinic, which will provide urgent care to people without an appointment between 8am and 10pm, seven days a week.

The clinic will provide treatment for common injuries and illnesses, such as strains and sprains, broken bones, minor head injuries, infections and rashes, minor eye issues, minor cuts and burns, toothaches, earaches, and fevers. 

Ripley Satellite Hospital will also provide paediatric care, obstetrics and gynaecology, maternity and antenatal, gerontology, diabetes and endocrine treatment, oral health, BreastScreen, mental health, medical imaging and diagnostic services – catering for up to 800 outpatient appointments a week.

The Aboriginal name for the satellite hospital was also announced – Moodoombar Dabbil – meaning “place of good water”.

The Ripley Satellite Hospital is the second of seven satellite hospitals to open under the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to supporting public healthcare delivery in rapidly growing communities across South East Queensland.

Satellite Hospitals in Kallangur, Redlands, Bribie Island, Eight Mile Plains and Tugun facilities will open later in 2023 and in 2024.

Anyone can attend a public hospital or satellite hospital for treatment. If you hold a Medicare card, and choose to be treated as a public patient, your acute medical treatment will be free.

If you are not eligible for a Medicare card, you will be required to pay for treatment. For more information visit the Medicare eligibility page.

Quotes attributable to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:

“The Ripley Satellite Hospital will be a gamechanger for the growing Ipswich region by providing the health services families in this area need.

“It will also be a significant employment hub for frontline workers including doctors, nurses and allied health officers.

“Ripley is one of three satellite hospitals to open this month, which will take the pressure off our busy emergency departments.

“With more than 580,000 people presenting to Queensland emergency departments in the last quarter, these facilities will help our frontline workers focus on major emergencies.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Shannon Fentiman:

“The Ripley Satellite Hospital will take pressure off Ipswich Hospital and its busy emergency department.

“Work is now underway on the 90-bed Ripley sub-acute facility, located right next door to the satellite hospital.

“Next year, construction will begin on the $710 million Ipswich Hospital Stage 2 expansion, which will deliver 200 new beds for the region.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum:

“We committed to more healthcare closer to home, and we are delivering a brand-new state-of-the-art healthcare facility.

“Local healthcare means more local jobs, just like the frontline health workers here who are dedicated to caring for our community.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard:

"The opening of the Ripley Satellite Hospital is a game changer for the Ipswich Hospital System, allowing patients to get the critical care they need without blocking up the Ipswich General Hospital.

"Investments into local health infrastructure like these are a great example of how the Palaszczuk government invests in and listens to local communities."

Quotes attributable to Member for Jordan Charis Mullen:

“With the confirmed expansion of the Ipswich Hospital and a new Public Hospital in Springfield also under construction, the Ripley Satellite Hospital will play an important role in our increasing health services across the West Moreton region.”

Quotes attributable to West Moreton Health Chief Executive Hannah Bloch:

“The open day is a fantastic opportunity for Ipswich residents to tour the hospital and learn what services would be available.

“People can learn all about the Minor Injury and Illness Clinic and other services, including Medical Imaging and the Specialist Outpatient Department, before the satellite hospital opens at the end of the month.”

ENDS

Media contact – Phoenix Campbell (Health Minister's Office) - 0439 949 719