Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm slams ‘inadequate’ response to Proserpine dialysis time frame
‘(It) is very concerning to local residents from across the Whitsunday region, whose lives rely on renal dialysis.’
Mackay
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Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm has labelled the health minister's response to questions about kidney dialysis delivery as "inadequate".
During last year's state election campaign, the Labor government committed $6 million to establish kidney dialysis services at Proserpine hospital, among a raft of other health commitments.
In a Queensland parliament question on notice to Health Minister Yvette D'Ath, Ms Camm asked her to advise the time frame, including expected operational opening, and cost of delivery of Proserpine Hospital's renal dialysis unit.
Ms D'Ath said increasing the capability of regional kidney services was part of the government's plan.
"As part of the government's commitment to providing kidney health and care services for Queenslanders, I can confirm that an additional $27.8 million will be invested to establish additional renal dialysis treatment spaces across regional and rural Queensland to provide dialysis closer to home where it is safe to do so," she said.
"I am advised that Queensland Health is currently working with hospital and health services to progress planning for these local dialysis services, including the Mackay Hospital and Health Service."
Ms Camm described the minister's response as "very concerning" and "inadequate".
"The response didn't outline a timeframe which is very concerning to local residents from across the Whitsunday region, whose lives rely on renal dialysis," the Whitsunday MP said.
"They have to travel to Mackay from Proserpine and the surrounding regions, to access this treatment.
"Given it was an election commitment, I would've assumed the Queensland government would've had a timeframe to deliver this commitment."
Ms Camm said she would continue to follow the issue up and ensure it would be allocated in the upcoming Queensland budget.
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Originally published as Whitsunday MP Amanda Camm slams ‘inadequate’ response to Proserpine dialysis time frame
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