LNP MP Keith Pitt accused of spreading hospital misinformation

A formal apology has been demanded of Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt after he was accused of using “scare tactics” to spread misinformation about the new $1.2billion Bundaberg Hospital.

Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith has called for an apology from Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt over alleged ‘misinformation’ being spread about the new Bundaberg Hospital.

The Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service have fired back at Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt’s claims the new Bundaberg hospital would not include operating theatres.

The claim comes on the back of a petition launched by Mr Pitt calling for more cardiology services to be made available in the region.

“I have heard about their difficulties in attracting and recruiting cardiologists and there are real concerns that patient care will be affected,” Mr Pitt said.

The LNP MP said his fears for the future of cardiac patients in the region were doubled by “rumours” the new $1.2billion hospital to be built at Bundaberg would not have operating theatres.

“I’m very worried about the concept and its entirety, the idea that you would split services in this region,” Mr Pitt said.

But the WBHHS has responded in a formal statement released “in light of recent comments made by the Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt”.

WHBBS board member Peta Jamieson confirmed the plans for the new hospital, and what would be included at the new location.

Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt and Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith.

“The new hospital will include operating theatres, an emergency department and intensive care,” she said.

“The operating theatre suite will have the capability to support diagnostic and interventional cardiology procedures.”

Bundaberg State MP Tom Smith also fired back at the “scare tactics” used by Mr Pitt and called for an immediate apology.

Mr Smith said plans for the new hospital were readily available on the WBHHS website, and claimed Mr Pitt had gone out of his way to ignore them.

“It seems bizarre that on one hand Mr Pitt claims to be ‘very worried about the concept’, when it is

obvious that he has not even looked at the design.

“If he had, he would know that the concept designs quite clearly show operating theatres as part of the plans,” said Mr Smith.

In response Mr Pitt has said the lack of clarity surrounding the Level 5 hospital, and the desperate need for cardiologists in the region can’t be understated.
“I won’t be taking advice from someone who thinks a Level 5 hospital is a building with 5 storeys. The Palaszczuk Government promised a Level 5 Hospital and that is not what the Bundaberg community is getting.

“Given the Bundaberg Hospital is frequently at capacity, how will bed shortages be addressed over the next five years until the new hospital opens? What‘s the plan to stop ambulance ramping for the next five years? Will all the new beds and services be operational at the same time at the new hospital?

“We can't wait for five years for more beds and cardiologists, the Member for Bundaberg needs to lobby his own health minister to speak to Mark Butler and fix the cardiologist shortage now,” he said.