Hospital denies Bennett claim it ran out of food

Bundaberg Hospital has rejected claims from an LNP MP that it ran out of food during a busy weekend in the Emergency Department.

The Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service has hit out at claims the hospital ran out of food at the weekend.

The Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service has hit back at claims Bundaberg Hospital ran out of food and says it’s not in “crisis mode”.

The rebuttal came after Burnett MP Stephen Bennett claimed members of the public had phoned him with their concerns.

It comes a week after the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service hit back at the state Opposition Leader’s claims that hundreds of people across the Wide Bay - and thousands across the rest of the state - were waiting more than 24 hours in emergency departments.

Mr Bennett also recently raised concerns around the state of cardiac health at the hospital.

“It’s been a horror weekend at the Bundaberg base hospital following disturbing reports of no food and no beds,” he said.

“It’s clear this hospital is in crisis mode. We need urgent action before it’s too late.

“I’ve received frightening calls over the last few days - reports of patients queuing in wheelchairs due to there being no beds, and reports of the hospital running out of food.

MP Stephen Bennett has made claims Bundaberg Hospital ran out of food on the weekend.

“This is unacceptable. It is heartbreaking to hear desperate screams and pleas for help.”

Mr Bennett said he was receiving more and more calls from locals he says are anxious for answers.

“We’re also hearing allegations that complaints are being covered up to avoid genuine investigations,” he said.

“This is serious. I’m calling on the Premier and Minister Yvette D’Ath to take action to fix the real crisis at the Bundaberg base hospital now, before we see a tragedy.”

A WBHHS spokesperson said comments around Bundaberg Hospital being in crisis mode were inaccurate.

“The implication that we would ignore or cover up any complaints in an attempt to avoid investigations is also untrue and unfounded,” they said.

“Bundaberg Hospital did experience higher than usual emergency presentations over the weekend and was escalated to Tier 3 bed capacity status as a result.

“This is a routine response when we have high patient presentations and is in line with statewide capacity response plans.

“We managed the increase in demand by following clear escalation plans, including mobilising additional staff and transferring and discharging inpatients where safe to do so.”

The WBHHS rejected claims there’d been any shortage of food.

“Despite the increase in patient presentations, at no time did Bundaberg Hospital run out of food,” they said.