Stephen Bennett calls out government over handling of Bundaberg health system

The Wide Bay Health Service has responded to claims Bundaberg women are being forced to wait more than eight weeks for breastscreen appointments. Read what they had to say.

WBHHS chief executive Deborah Carroll has addressed claims of 'eight week' waits for breast screening services.

Burnett MP Stephen Bennett has called out the State Government over its handling of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health system, claiming it has “lost touch” with what’s happening at Bundaberg Hospital.

Mr Bennett moved a motion in Parliament on December 1, as the LNP continued its campaign on what it says is a state-wide crisis. In his motion, Mr Bennett claimed there had been a 9.9 per cent increase in ambulance ramping at the Bundaberg Hospital since June 2020.

He also claimed 44 per cent of emergency department patients at Bundaberg Hospital were not seen within clinically recommended time frames in the September 2021 quarter.

Burnett MP Stephen Bennett called out the State Government in Parliament last week after moving a motion on Bundaberg's health system.

Mr Bennett was also critical of the local breast screening service, where he said some patients were waiting more than eight weeks for a scan because there was no permanent radiographer.

“My job is to expose the truth behind the health and hospital system in the Wide Bay,” he said.

“This motion was in an effort to get our community what we rightfully deserve.

“In Bundaberg, it takes patients more than eight weeks to get a breast cancer scan because there is no permanent radiographer employed at the Queensland Health facility.

“In some cases, this is an issue of life and death.

“Women in the Bundaberg region are victims of the Queensland Health Crisis because the State Government is losing control of the health system.

“The fact that I have had a number of people approach my office about the breast screening service is very worrying and the answer from the Minister indicated that there were serious problems in recruitment, but all of these things add up to a bleak future given the way the Bundaberg Hospital is sliding.”

Mr Bennett also called on the government to deliver the new hospital.

Bundaberg MP Tom Smith said he’d received a letter from Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Debbie Carroll saying the health service was “currently under an agreement with I-Med Central Queensland Pty Ltd to provide specialist Medical Imaging and Radiologist services for our health service, around the clock”.

Bundaberg MP Tom Smith read a part of a letter he received from WBHHS CE Debbie Carroll explaining the current agreement with medical imaging and radiology.

“I-Med includes provision of an onsite radiologist at both Bundaberg and Hervey Bay Hospitals … I-Med has a further four radiologists offsite within the region,” the letter said.

“After hours reporting is covered by I-TeleRAD … employing over 230 Radiologists credentialed by WBHHS and available via tele-radiology support to provide reporting and consultation support to the health service when required.”

In reply to Mr Bennett’s motion, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said there was “no reneging” on the new hospital.

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said there was no reneging on the new Bundaberg Hospital. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

“We are very proud of our investment in the Bundaberg region and across this great state with our record budget of over $22.2 billion,” she said.

“It is the Palaszczuk government that is continuing to invest in the Wide Bay region and which has committed to building the Bundaberg Hospital. There is no reneging on the Bundaberg Hospital. It will be built.”

Despite the claims from Mr Bennett Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Deborah Carroll said Bundaberg women requiring breastscreen appointments were still being seen.

“Bundaberg women requiring breastscreen appointments are continuing to be seen, despite recent staff changes at our Bundaberg BreastScreen clinic,” she said.

“Services are being provided by casual and locum radiographers. The clinic remains open five days a week, as per standard practice, and the increasing availability of radiographers has helped reduce waiting times.

“We are undertaking an active recruitment campaign to fill permanent radiographer positions at the Bundaberg BreastScreen clinic.

“In the meantime, we will continue to operate the Bundaberg clinic to ensure women who are due for their free BreastScreen are able to have their mammograms.

“Hervey Bay BreastScreen is also providing support, where required. We appreciate the community’s patience at this time.”