Government spends millions on Ipswich Hospital upgrade in state Budget

The State Government has committed $710 million extra for an expansion of Ipswich Hospital, with 200 more beds coming in the next five years. FULL LIST OF HEALTH SPENDING

The State Government has committed an extra $710 million to expanding and improving Ipswich Hospital as the city’s ambulance ramping crisis worsens and wait times reach critical levels.

Tuesday’s Budget featured a record $23.6 billion investment in frontline health services and infrastructure around the state, including $817 million for West Moreton Hospital and Health Services.

Ipswich Hospital, which has had a flood of negative headlines in recent years — will be given $34.9 million this financial year for an extensive refurbishment.

Ipswich Hospital.

It was part of a total $146.3 million spend on construction projects to expand and improve facilities at the hospital site and to build a new acute mental health unit.

The first stage of the $166.9 million hospital expansion project included a new 26-bed ward and a new MRI machine.

It will also soon see the hospital’s emergency department expanded and a new alcohol and construction of a drug withdrawal and rehabilitation.

“West Moreton Hospital and Health Service will continue delivering Stage 1A of the Ipswich Health Precinct expansion, with the development of a new 64-bed mental health facility due to open in early 2023,” the Budget documents stated.

Hospital ramping is an ongoing issue, particularly in Ipswich. Picture: David Clark

Ipswich residents will also benefit from an $177 million investment in the construction of the Springfield Mater Public Hospital and the delivery of an Ipswich Satellite Hospital.

About $139.9 million of a total $280 million total spend has been allocated to delivering seven satellite hospitals across the state which should, when constructed, enable acute hospitals to manage patients through “alternative” models of care.

A render of the new Mater Hospital due to open in Springfield in 2024.

Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard said she was glad to see the government was “putting healthcare first” in its Budget.

“An additional $85.4 million will also be invested in the Ripley Satellite Hospital, delivering an extra 90 beds to the facility,” she said.

“This is fantastic news for Ipswich. Very proud to be part of a government that invests so heavily in health.”

Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard MP. Picture: Liam Kidston

The 2022-23 Queensland Budget is expected to support health in Ipswich through a number of key projects:

KEY HEALTH INVESTMENTS

• The Park Centre for Mental Health, Treatment, Research and Education will receive $531,901 of a $1.4 million total spend for construction projects to improve facilities.
• Ipswich Hospital will receive $34.9 million of a $146.3 million total spend for construction projects to expand and improve facilities, including a new mental health unit.
• Ripley Ambulance Station and West Moreton District Office has been allocated $4.4 million in 2022-23 of a $7.4 million total spend to deliver a new 24/7 ambulance station.
• Seven satellite hospitals will be constructed across Queensland — including in Ipswich — to enable acute hospitals to continue to safely manage patients via alternative models of care. More than $139 million has been allocated to the $280 million Satellite Hospitals Program project in 2022–23.
• About 2200 additional overnight beds will be provided at 15 facilities across Queensland, including the Ipswich Hospital, at a cost of $9.785 billion over six years.