New Short Stay Unit opens at Maryborough Hospital

A new unit has opened its doors at Maryborough Hospital, meaning more patients can stay close to home instead of being transferred to Hervey Bay.

A new seven-bed Short Stay Unit has opened its doors at Maryborough Hospital.

A new seven-bed short-stay unit has opened its doors at Maryborough Hospital, meaning fewer patients will need to be transferred to Hervey Bay.

The unit will treat patients requiring a one to two-day stay at the hospital, employing 23 additional health staff and being overseen by an emergency department consultant.

Typically, the unit will treat patients requiring a one to two-day hospital stay.

Health and Ambulance Minister Yvette D’Ath said the seven-bed unit was a welcome addition to the hospital.

“We are committed to providing the best care possible to the people of Queensland and are pleased that the opening of the short-stay unit will provide greater access to care for the Maryborough community,” she said.

“With a multidisciplinary team including medical officers, nursing, allied health, administration and operational staff, the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service will be able to increase the treatment provided from Maryborough Hospital.”

Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said the new unit would be invaluable to the community.

Maryborough MP Bruce Saunders with plans for the upgrade to the Maryborough Hospital.

“I will always advocate for the Maryborough Hospital and my community who rely on it,” he said.

“I’m proud to be a part of the Palaszczuk government because we are delivering the health services that Maryborough needs.”

Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Debbie Carroll said the new unit would benefit both the region’s hospitals.

“We have been working hard to improve the flow of patients through our hospitals and to increase our capacity to care for those in need,” she said.

“The new short-stay unit will benefit not only those in Maryborough, but the Hervey Bay community too, as fewer patients will require transfer to Hervey Bay Hospital to receive appropriate care.

“The Queensland Ambulance Service will also have greater ability to respond to emergency calls across the Fraser Coast, as there will be a reduction in the number of patients transferred by ambulance between Maryborough and Hervey Bay hospitals.”