Premier Steven Miles has committed $50 million to upgrade the Emergency Department at Rockhampton Hospital.
Work on a master plan is already underway to identify the infrastructure needed to meet the growing region’s needs and improve patient flow.
The announcement builds on the Miles Labor Government’s plan to deliver more beds and more frontline health staff in CQ, while the LNP’s only plan is to cut.
Premier Steven Miles and Health Minister Shannon Fentiman have joined Labor candidate for Rockhampton Craig Marshall and Keppel MP Brittany Lauga to announce a $50 million commitment to upgrading Rockhampton Hospital’s ED.
Master planning is already underway to determine what infrastructure is needed and this commitment signals Labor’s commitment to start work as soon as possible.
This initial investment will deliver a significant boost to ED treatment spaces, an expanded short stay unit to help with patient flow, and a fracture clinic.
Rockhampton Hospital is the major public facility in Central Queensland, providing a range of specialist services for locals from near and far.
Like many places in Queensland, Rockhampton Hospital is experiencing increasing demands and pressures, relating to an ageing population and increase chronic disease rates.
Despite record demand, staff at Rocky Hospital have gone above and beyond to deliver high quality healthcare to patients.
At the existing Rockhampton ED, we’ve seen a massive 15% improvement in patients seen in time.
Additionally, Queensland Health data shows a 3.3% improvement in Patient Off Stretcher Time in Rockhampton.
But we can always do more and an expansion of the Emergency Department will be a first step in ensuring the Hospital is growing to meet the future needs of the community.
The Miles Labor Government has also announced a Satellite Hospital for the region, in another step to relieve pressure off the busy Rockhampton Hospital ED.
Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:
“Better healthcare closer to home matters and I am committed to doing what matters for every corner of Queensland.
“Staff at Rockhampton Hospital work exceptionally hard to keep the community healthy and well and they need an upgraded Emergency Department to do keep doing that.
“Today I am putting $50 million on the table, so work can get underway immediately once the master planning identifies exactly what this growing community needs.”
Quotes attributable to Health Minister Shannon Fentiman:
“We’re committed to taking pressure off the busy Rockhampton Hospital ED and that’s exactly what this investment will do.
“A bigger and better ED means more local families are seen faster and our hard-working doctors and nurses have the state-of-the-art ED they deserve.
“Together with our Rockhampton Satellite Hospital, Labor will deliver the healthcare locals across Central Queensland need.
“David Crisafulli and the LNP cut 288 hardworking CQ health workers, including nurses and midwives, when they last had the chance. Don’t risk more LNP cuts. Vote Labor.”
Quotes attributable to Keppel MP Brittany Lauga:
“Rockhampton Hospital is the hub for the Keppel community, when they need more urgent medical care.
“An upgraded ED will benefit all of Central Queensland and only a Miles Labor Government will deliver it.
“I will always stand on Labor’s record for CQ, the LNP’s record is cutting 288 frontline health staff.”
Quotes attributable to Labor candidate for Rockhampton Craig Marshall:
“I will always back our frontline health heroes and only a Miles Labor Government will invest in them.
“Another way we will take pressure off our busy emergency departments is our revolutionary Satellite Hospitals and only a Miles Labor Government will deliver a Satellite Hospital for Rockhampton.
“The LNP has announced zero new beds and less health staff for Rockhampton.
“The LNP will cut what matters and take the health of Central Queenslanders backwards.”
ENDS