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Questions Without Notice Questions without notice are asked of Ministers and answered during Question Time.
Question
Mr Lawlor: My question is directed to the Minister for Health. I refer to the minister's comments
yesterday that Queensland public hospital emergency departments treated record numbers of patients
during August. What is the government doing to build Queensland's emergency department capacity to
meet the service demands of a growing and ageing population?
Answer
Mr ROBERTSON: I thank the member for the question. As our public hospitals deal with record
numbers of patients through their doors, they need to be properly supported with new and better
infrastructure. The state government is embarking on the largest health infrastructure program ever
undertaken in Australia. Not only does that include three new tertiary hospitals worth around $3 billion; it
also includes new and upgraded emergency departments from the Gold Coast to Cairns. Through a
strong economy, Queensland is able to fund around 120 projects of varying size and scope totalling
some $5.1 billion.
Next week I will take great pleasure in officially opening Gympie Hospital's redeveloped
emergency department, which has already treated more than 8,000 people since it started operating in
July. This $6.7 million project has delivered better and modern facilities for our doctors and nurses to
treat and manage Gympie patients.
For the first time, the Gold Coast has two EDs, significantly improving health services in that
region. Since it opened some eight weeks ago, the $40 million Robina emergency department has
already treated more than 4,000 patients-on average between 70 and 80 people a day. Ninety per cent
of Robina's patients live in the central or southern areas of the region, suggesting that they are being
treated closer to home.
Since 3 September when Robina opened, both EDs have treated a total of 13,500 patients. That
is over 3,000 more than the same period last year. But Southport's total is down 5.3 per cent on the
same period last year. That means that as a result of Robina, which will only increase in capacity over
time, we are already seeing pressure being eased at Southport.
On Brisbane's north side we have the Prince Charles Hospital now providing a 24-hour general
emergency department for the first time as part of the overall $130 million development there. It has
treated more than 15,500 patients since it opened in February. As its capacity has gradually increased,
so has its attendance figures. In the last three months the ED has had an average of 485 presentations
a week, sharing the load with other hospitals in the region.
These three projects are examples of a stronger and more sustainable and resilient ED network
throughout the state. There are several more new and upgraded EDs either completed, underway or
planned including the PA, Logan, Redlands, Redcliffe, Dalby, Bundaberg, Rockhampton and Cairns. Not
only are we employing more doctors and nurses than ever before; we are building first-class
infrastructure to develop better health services for all Queenslanders.
I note that this morning the Prime Minister has finally woken from his slumber. When it comes to
health he is the Rip Van Winkle of health policy in this state. He has been asleep for 11 years but finally
he has awoken and decided to increase training places for GPs. It is 11 years too late. The chronic
national shortage of GPs in this country is an absolute scandal, particularly in the bush where it matters
most. Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 9:28 AM
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