Opposition to host Town Hall on Hervey Bay Hospital crisis

As the crisis engulfing Hervey Bay Hospital deepens, whistleblowers are being asked to come forward at a major Town Hall meeting.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli said delivering proper healthcare for the people of Hervey Bay was a major priority for the LNP and the Health Crisis Town Halls were an important step on that journey.

The political war playing out as the Hervey Bay hospital plunges further into crisis has stepped up a notch with the State Opposition planning a major move.

The LNP will hold a Queensland Health Crisis Town Hall in Hervey Bay, a seat which was previously held by the party’s four-term member Ted Sorensen until his retirement last year.

In a statement on Thursday, the State Opposition said the Queensland Health Crisis “has seen bed shortages worsen, surging ambulance ramping rates and surgery waitlists blowing out at Hervey Bay Hospital”.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli said delivering proper healthcare for the people of Hervey Bay was a major priority for the LNP and the Health Crisis Town Halls were an important step on that journey.

“Our Health Crisis Town Halls are uncovering the true state of the Queensland Health Crisis with patients sharing their stories,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“The State Government is losing control of the health system.

“Speaking up can make a difference and now the people of Hervey Bay will get that chance.

“We’re already getting results across the state with many Queenslanders finally get their surgery after years of frustrating delays, simply by telling their stories.

“Hervey Bay Hospital has been riddled with issues and the state government is failing to act.”

It comes after a vote of no-confidence vote in the board was sent to Minister Yvette D’Ath as bed and staff shortages continue to alarm hospital staff.

A leaked letter to the Minister from the Together Union this week revealed a meeting of its local members resulted in the unanimous no-confidence vote in the “ability of the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service to set the direction in providing the services needed by the people of Hervey Bay and Maryborough”.

In a response to the Chronicle this week, WBBHS chief executive Debbie Carroll said the growth in demand for care was “unprecedented”.

“While we’ve made significant recent investment in our local hospitals to increase their capacity and introduce more efficient models of care, the growth that we’re experiencing is beyond what any analyst or expert body predicted for our region,” she said.

“Our leadership team understands our staff are feeling the impact of this growth and demand, and we appreciate their ongoing commitment to providing quality healthcare while under this pressure.

“As always, we continue to be committed to working collaboratively with our staff, local union representatives and Queensland Health as we face these challenges, to ensure our community and patients continue to receive the best possible care now and in the future.”

Hervey Bay Hospital.

Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said all Queenslanders deserve a world class health system no matter where they live.

“As a nurse and former hospital administrator, I know how stressful it can be for our dedicated frontline staff who are overworked and under-resourced,” Ms Bates said.

“Whistleblowers who’ve worked in the health system for decades are coming forward as well.

“We want to hear from everyone. Patients, nurses, paramedics and surgeons.”

The LNP has hosted Health Town Halls in Cairns, Rockhampton, the Sunshine Coast, Caboolture, Redcliffe, Moreton Bay, Brisbane and the Gold Coast this year.

WBHHS and Health Minister Yvette D’Ath have been contacted for comment on the Town Hall announcement.