{"id":291827,"date":"2020-12-22T13:17:18","date_gmt":"2020-12-22T03:17:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=291827"},"modified":"2021-01-05T15:37:08","modified_gmt":"2021-01-05T05:37:08","slug":"a-look-at-our-exciting-new-hospital","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2020\/12\/22\/a-look-at-our-exciting-new-hospital\/","title":{"rendered":"A Look At Our Exciting New Hospital"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Inspecting the first stage of the new Kingaroy Hospital … the second stage is expected to open in about 12 months from now<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\"\"December 22, 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since my maiden speech in 2012 where I spoke about the desperate need for a new Kingaroy Hospital, the difficult conditions in the maternity ward and the lack of a mental health safe room, I have been fighting on behalf of the community for a facility that our community and health professionals deserve.<\/p>\n

Thank you to the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service who showed me around the new hospital last week.<\/p>\n

I was so excited to see mums and bubs enjoying the brand new maternity ward, and also to see the amazing new emergency department.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

From my photos below, you’ll also see we now have a new CT scanner, which will save people having to travel to Toowoomba for this service.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Our new hospital is spacious, functional and looks fantastic.<\/p>\n

Now that the first stage is complete, Stage 2 is under way and I’ve been told this will be completed by the end of 2021.<\/p>\n

It is so important that regional areas like ours have access to the same level of health service that our city cousins enjoy, and I believe the new Kingaroy Hospital is a great step forward in achieving this goal.<\/p>\n

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I was given a tour of the new hospital by the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service, who’ve been overseeing this project<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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A view of the modern new hospital’s foyer … a lot more stylish than the old one!<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n
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A new CAT scanner at the hospital will save many people a trip to Toowoomba<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
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The new Emergency Department is state-of-the-art as far as modern hospital practice goes<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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The annual Christmas Hamper drive is jointly organised by our local police stations, South Burnett CTC and Bill Hull Car Centre … I dropped in to give my contribution to this year’s drive to Bill Hull CEO Jacqui Trace personally<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Christmas Across The Electorate<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

This week I visited Bill Hull Car Centre in Kingaroy to leave my contribution to their Christmas Hamper Drive.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Hamper Drive is jointly organised by all our local police stations, South Burnett CTC and the Bill Hull Car Centre, and it’s a measure of how generous our residents are that last year it broke all records.<\/p>\n

Queensland Police had been aiming to raise 8 tonnes of food for Christmas, and they raised a tonne of that (ie one-eighth of the Queensland total) in the South Burnett.<\/p>\n

The South Burnett community have been just as generous with their donations this year, and everything will be distributed to those in need this Christmas.<\/p>\n

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Peter Verbakel from Kumbia Neighbourgood Watch received a welcome windfall for the group in the latest round of my Community Grants program<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Local Hero Grants Bring Early Christmas Cheer<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

It was great to bring some early Christmas cheer across the Nanango Electorate when I announced the successful recipients of the 12th Round of my Local Hero Grants.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Congratulations to: Kumbia Neighbourhood Watch, Taabinga State School P&C, Mr James Watt (Touch Football referee), Yarraman Bowls Club and the Esk Christmas Tree Carnival (Brisbane Valley Apex).<\/p>\n

The closing date for Round 13 is March 31, 2021.<\/p>\n

If you would like to apply, please head to my website<\/strong><\/a> or contact the Electorate office on (07) 4190-7100 for guidelines.<\/p>\n

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Mitchell Bond<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n
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Addison Fleischfresser<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Celebrating The Success Of Our Students<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

It’s always important to acknowledge the hard work of our school students and each year I show my support through special ‘Deb Frecklington Achievement Awards’.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Here’s just two of this year’s recipients, Mitchell Bond of Murgon State High School and Addison Fleischfresser of Taabinga SS.<\/p>\n

Well done to all the students who received my awards and congratulations on your achievements in what has been a difficult year for all our schools!<\/p>\n

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Merry Christmas!<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

As 2020 draws to a close, I would like to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and health, happiness and prosperity for 2021.<\/strong><\/p>\n

There is no doubt that this year has been dominated by COVID-19 and the many changes it has meant for our daily lives.<\/p>\n

The impact of this pandemic has been felt far and wide.<\/p>\n

But if there are any positives to be found, it has confirmed the benefits of living in a regional area, our resilience and ability to adapt to the challenges we are presented.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s hope that the New Year brings a fresh outlook for us all.<\/p>\n

It is also important to acknowledge the ongoing dry conditions around the Electorate and the hardship our primary producers continue to face.<\/p>\n

While a few areas have received some rainfall, more is welcome to replenish our dams, tanks, creeks and river systems.<\/p>\n

From my family to yours, may you have a joyous and safe Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year.<\/p>\n

[Photos: Nanango Electorate Office]<\/strong><\/p>\n