Stats reveal success of satellite hospitals, Fentiman declares

People complaining of earaches and UTIs will be kept out of emergency departments with the opening of the state’s second controversial satellite hospital.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Health Minister Shannon Fentiman visit Ripley Satellite Hospital’s Open Day.

Pressure on Queensland’s stretched health system will continue to ease when the state government’s second satellite hospital opens at Ripley at Ipswich, Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has declared.

The Ripley site will be the second of the government’s five controversial hospitals when it comes online on August 30.

The program has previously drawn criticism from the opposition, which has claimed the lack of overnight beds meant they should not be called hospitals.

Ms Fentiman, who officially opened the site with Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Sunday, said the Caboolture satellite hospital – which saw more than 250 patients in its minor injury and illness clinic in the first eight days – proved the concept was working.

“Every day in this state almost 100 people present to an emergency department with a urinary tract infection, 1000s more present with ear ache or needing stitches,” she said.

“These are exactly the sorts of things that are brand new satellite hospitals can now deliver for Queensland families.”

The Ripley site will be staffed by 30 doctors and nurses and feature a minor injury and illness clinic open from 8am to 10pm.

“There will also be so many wonderful opportunities to come and see specialists right here at the satellite hospital for gynaecology and obstetrics, child, maternal health.

“We have worked with local communities to see what it is that they need in terms of their

health care and we’re delivering it right here in their local neighbourhood.”

Work is also underway on the nearby 90-bed subacute facility and next year work will begin to deliver an extra 200 beds at Ipswich Hospital.