May 6, 2015
The future of the South Burnett Private Hospital looks slightly brighter this week after talks between Mayor Wayne Kratzmann and hospital operator Pulse Health’s CEO Phillipa Blakey.
On Tuesday, the Mayor flew from Wellcamp Airport to Sydney for a personal discussion about the future of the hospital with Ms Blakey at Pulse Health’s Sydney headquarters.
Ms Blakey will be returning the visit next week.
The discussion was prompted by a recent admission from Pulse Health that the future of the private hospital was “under consideration” and the Kingaroy facility could close on June 30.
Today the Mayor said initial discussions had been fruitful and he was hopeful an arrangement could be worked out to keep the hospital open.
The Mayor believes the root cause of lower than optimal patient numbers at the hospital is a low awareness about what health services are available there.
“This is why we have some local doctors referring patients to Brisbane or Toowoomba when they could get the same services right here,” he said.
“I think we need to raise awareness about the types of specialist services available at the private hospital, and I think that can be done by arranging regular talks with local health professionals.”
The Mayor believes any marketing efforts for the hospital would need to be ongoing because of the high turnover of medical professionals in the region, but thinks this could be accomplished by a community group set up for the purpose.
He also warned that if the hospital closes, the facility is likely to be lost to the South Burnett forever.
Queensland Health had advised Council that if hospital was shut and later tried to re-open under another operator, changes in regulations would require extensive upgrades that would make it unviable.
Mayor Kratzmann also rejected criticism Council had spent $330,000 in this year’s Budget upgrading the building’s roof and carrying out other minor remediation works.
“We are spending $300,000 fixing the roof on the Murgon PCYC right now, and in next year’s Budget we’ll be spending about $330,000 fixing the roof of the Wondai Town Hall and admin block,” he said.
“On average, Council spends close to $3 million a year maintaining our Shire’s public buildings and facilities, and the private hospital’s building is just one of those.
“Ratepayers rightly expect us to look after our region’s assets, and we won’t back away from that duty.”
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I spoke to Damien Tessmann at the Kingaroy Show and he told me the trip to Sydney had been postponed to a date unknown. Why did the Mayor still go if the trip was postponed?
The history of local councilors and council staff past and present interaction with Lutheran health and education services can be traced back to the early days of Lutheran health and education services in the South Burnett, under various brand names including Santa Aubyns private hospital, Orana aged care facility, and St. John’s Lutheran School to name but a few.
The financial variability of this private hospital health facility is and has been reliant on councilor and council staff support for many years and will continue to do so into a uncertain foreseeable future. Kingaroy Shire Council which purchased the property in 2002. The then-Mayor Roger Nunn, then-councillor Terry Fleischfresser, then-CEO Ron Turner, acquired directorships on the private hospital board. KSC formed a limited liability private company – Kingaroy Private Hospital Limited – to manage the lease of the property. Hospital operations where undertaken by several companies with Pulse health commencing management in April of 2008. In 2013 Pulse health notified SBRC of a continuing financial decline in revenue and Pulse health would cease operations.
Mayor Kratzmann, then Council CEO Ken McLoughlin and Mr Harding Manager Economic Development South Burnett Regional Council met with Pulse health representatives in Sydney to extend the lease, upon the payment of a small retainer. Mayor Kratzmann also approached the then Health Minister Lawrence Springborg and Queensland Health to discuss options [Side note. Former councilor Ms Cheryl Dalton is a board member of the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Board].
July 5, 2013 In the Council Budget handed down this week, $333,000 was earmarked for the South Burnett Private Hospital. Mayor Kratzmann said this was for roof repairs. The current board members of Kingaroy Private Hospital Limited are Mayor Kratzmann, Cr Damien Tessman, John Kersnovski, Dr Debbie Tellam, Dr Brad Butwell and Louise Kenny
July 5, 2013. Pulse Health, the ASX-listed operator of the South Burnett Private Hospital in Queensland, confirms that the future of the Hospital is under consideration. It is loss-making and has been struggling for some time to improve profitability. Pules health consider this hospital a lose making venture their for financially unsustainable.
Editors note: St Aubyns Hospital in Kingaroy was run by the Methodist Church, and then the Uniting Church
Don’t let the truth stand in way of a good lie Jack! You’ve been quite vocal on a lot of issues but I think your comments here show how ill informed you are. Worth noting on future issues you comment on
The question is Top Cat why would I have make such a obvious mistake when this information is readily advisable on line and well known through out the shire?
Jack – I am not sure what you mean by this, but we remind our commentators that all IPs are logged.
Sounds to me like you’ve been caught out on a public forum talking about something you do not know about where you cannot delete or edit your comment to correct the record, so now you’re making an ordinary attempt to cover your mistake. Sorry Jack, you’ve mucked up with a lack of research.
Thanks News Desk I am aware that IPs are logged. If there has been no interaction between this church or congregation members on this matter then I unreservedly apologies.