State Government announces sites for Bribie, Ipswich satellite hospitals

The State Government has finally announced the location of two of seven new satellite hospitals promised for southeast Queensland at the last election.

An announcement has been made on where the Queensland Government will build two of its new satellite hospitals at Ipswich and Bribie Island.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said a 1.6ha parcel of Crown land on First Ave, Bongaree, was the preferred site of the Bribie Island satellite hospital.

And a 2.7ha property on Barrams Rd, South Ripley, was the preferred location of the outer Ipswich hospital.

“Our satellite hospitals strategy is vital when it comes to catering for demand and taking pressure off our health system,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“Bribie Island and Ipswich are among seven urban areas where we’ll build satellite hospitals as part of a $265 million policy we took to the last election.

“This is an Australian first initiative which will bring new and improved health services into the heart of growing local communities.

“Both Bribie Island and Ipswich have growing and ageing populations, with demand for local health care services increasing.

“Investing in these new satellite hospitals means people will be able to access more health care services closer to home instead of having to travel to a larger, major hospital.”

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said community health services, ambulatory and low acuity day therapy services such as renal dialysis, chemotherapy, complex wound management, urgent care for minor injury and illness, and outpatient activities were some of the services being considered at the new satellite hospitals.

Construction is expected to take around 12 months following completion of the business case and acquisition of land.

Satellite hospitals will also be built in Redlands, Brisbane Southside, Pine Rivers, Gold Coast, and Caboolture but preferred sites have not yet been chosen.