February 1, 2016
The South Burnett Regional Council has appointed a health specialist to take over the development of the Lady Florence Bjelke-Petersen Community Hospital.
SBRC CEO Gary Wall said on Monday Council had appointed hospital specialist Leith MacMillan to the position.
Mayor Wayne Kratzmann said Ms MacMillan was appointed following consultations with Queensland Health.
Council held discussions with Queensland Health last week about the best way to keep the private hospital and visiting specialist facility open.
“Ms MacMillan comes highly recommended by Queensland Health because of her qualifications as a health specialist and her experience in developing hospitals and medical facilities,” Mayor Kratzmann said.
“Her initial role will be to consult with stakeholders and prepare a business plan for the hospital, which we hope will be ready by the end of this month.
“This will keep us on track for the transfer of the licence from Pulse Health to Council by March 31.
“Queensland Health has been very supportive of the South Burnett’s need to retain the private hospital and I would like to express my gratitude for their input and advice.”
Mayor Kratzmann said Ms MacMillan’s business plan would focus on filling existing gaps in the hospital and medical needs of the South Burnett community, which would result in the operation of a private facility to complement public health services at no cost to ratepayers.
While Ms MacMillan will focus on the business plan, negotiation of health fund rebate contracts, and determining local medical needs, Mayor Kratzmann will continue to explore other sources of funding, including boosting the existing private hospital trust fund foundation.
The SBRC voted last month to take over the licence of the private hospital and to rename the facility the Lady Florence Bjelke-Petersen Community Hospital in recognition of Lady Flo’s contribution to the community.
If the business plan is successful, the hospital will open on September 1.
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I might be nit-picking here but I do believe the name of the Hospital should be slightly changed. It is my understanding the Lady Flo is indeed not Lady Florence Bjelke-Petersen but Florence, Lady Bjelke-Petersen. Just a little thing but it annoys me and if you are going to name a building after someone you should probably get it right.
You’re right, of course. Joh Bjelke-Petersen was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in 1984, gaining the title “Sir”. His wife automatically became Lady Bjelke-Petersen. If Flo had been honoured in her own right, she would have been Dame Florence Bjelke-Petersen and Joh would have been plain old Mr Bjelke-Petersen (after he left Parliament) as he would have not derived any new courtesy title.
Dame Pattie Menzies kept her first name in her official title because she was made a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire in 1954. Sir Robert Menzies was made a Knight of the Order of the Thistle in 1963, so both had official titles.