December 18, 2020
The Darling Downs Health executive team and Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington inspected Stage 1 of the new Kingaroy Hospital redevelopment on Thursday.
The group had the opportunity to inspect the much more spacious Emergency Department, maternity ward and some of the high-tech equipment which has been installed.
“I was so excited to see mums and bubs enjoying the brand new maternity ward, and also to see the amazing new emergency department,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“I was particularly interested in confirming that the hospital does indeed have a safe or ‘quiet room’ to care for patients undergoing a mental health crisis, and this is located just inside the entrance to the Emergency Department.
“Our new hospital is spacious, functional and looks fantastic.”
Darling Downs Health chief executive Dr Peter Gillies said he was very proud of the passion and commitment shown by Kingaroy Hospital staff as the project proceeded.
“Since the first sod was turned on the project in July 2019 there has been a feeling of anticipation and excitement across the health service and South Burnett community as we watched the new hospital take shape,” Dr Gillies said.
“There’s been an immense amount of activity on-site for the past 18 months, and throughout this construction period our Kingaroy Hospital team has gone above and beyond to continue delivering high quality health care for our patients.”
Dr Gillies said the new main hospital building delivered in Stage 1 had increased capacity and services to meet local healthcare needs into the future.
“The new hospital has more treatment spaces in emergency and inpatient areas, an expanded medical imaging department including a CT scanner, and more efficient admission and patient flow processes,” he said.
“The modern birth suites, maternity facilities, wards, theatres and staff amenities will enable us to provide outstanding patient care and comfort.
“Construction of Stage 2 of the project is set to start in early 2021 and is on track for completion this time next year, delivering a new and expanded renal dialysis unit, and expanded specialist outpatient services.
“We thank our doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, operational, and admin staff here on the frontline in Kingaroy for their ongoing hard work, passion and dedication to caring for our community always, but especially during this time of change and progress.”
- Related article: First Patients, First Birth At Hospital
(Photo: Nanango Electorate Office)
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It would be wonderful if the Red Cross blood bank could be part of the new hospital set up, I would love to do plasma donations every 2 weeks… Fingers crossed!
Thank you Qld Labor for achieving without sacking hundreds/thousands of Public Service personnel, nor the selling of our much-needed asset that provides employment and much, much-needed financials to our Region.
The LNP failed on these and STILL this was not on the list of being done from the asset-selling funds.
Mental health increases, too, just as we were told by Labor, on top of delivering the replacement Barrett Adolescent Centre after the LNP closed, hated the replacement and repurposed the $16 million allocated for it.
Young Qlders took their lives as a result within months, as they lost their needed facility and after being told replacement would be delivered, it wasn’t, with the LNP redirecting the funds…
Well done and thank you Qld Labor. Initial building and redeveloping for Kingaroy and surrounds. We are obviously better off under ALP Gov in our region.
So why is it that Deb Frecklington is seen here in this photo op making it appear as if the LNP was responsible for getting this new hospital built for our region? Wasn’t a Labor representative on hand. Maybe not. The least Mrs Frecklington could have done was acknowledge that the hospital is a result of the Labor Party efforts to improve regional public health facilities. Maybe she did but the reporter here failed to include such statements.
In any case, I hope residents will remember this new hospital and take it into consideration when casting their votes at the next State election, but I wouldn’t bet on it.
Cam, don’t you know protocol. Deb is entitled to be invited as she is the local Member. Forget about politics, she is the local Member and as such, entitled to be there. What if the shoe was on the other foot, would you still be complaining?
Cam, glad to see this aspect being not only seen but spoken out on. Cheers.