February 2, 2018
The State Government has claimed the Federal Government is refusing to pay $52 million owed to the Darling Downs Hospital and Service.
Health Minister Steven Miles said the money owed was for services already delivered, and could affect future health services across the region.
In the South Burnett, the health service operates Kingaroy, Nanango, Wondai, Murgon and Cherbourg hospitals.
“This is a savage attack on healthcare in the Darling Downs,” Mr Miles said.
Mr Miles said the independent health funding umpire had ruled the Commonwealth owed Queensland hundreds of millions of dollars for healthcare provided as far back as 2014.
“Worse, the amount owing is accumulating, meaning Queenslanders are $979 million worse off over four years because of Canberra’s refusal to pay its fair share,” Mr Miles said.
“I’m asking for help – from politicians on all sides, from health professionals, from stakeholders – to encourage the Federal Government to meet its commitments.
“Fifty-two million dollars buys a lot of healthcare.”
Mr Miles said this could translate into 15,000 fewer surgeries across the region.
“The Federal Government’s failure to reimburse Toowoomba for hundreds of patients already treated is not only unfair, it places future health funding for the Darling Downs at risk,” he said.
Mr Miles said Queensland Health has worked hard to ensure no one had been disadvantaged while waiting for the money to come from Canberra.
“But this is not sustainable,” Mr Miles said.
“If Canberra refuses to pay its fair share our hospitals will be forced to reduce health services they could otherwise deliver.
“Canberra’s cuts will see people in Toowoomba receiving fewer treatments and waiting longer for it.”
The Darling Downs and District Hospital Service has been contacted for comment.
UPDATE: DDHHS refused to comment on the claim, referring southburnett.com.au back to the Health Minister,
