Minister says Redland Hospital will be expanded, but no time frame
After an emergency doctor went public with concerns his overstretched hospital could be fatal for patients, the Health Minister made an assurance — but omitted a critical detail.
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QUEENSLAND Health Minister Steven Miles has written to Redland Hospital staff, promising an expansion of the facility, including an intensive care unit, after one of its doctors went public on bed shortages and patient safety issues there.
Senior Redland Hospital emergency physician Michael Cameron turned whistleblower in The Courier-Mail yesterday, drawing attention to severe pressures on the facility, which he said had failed to expand to cope with the region’s rapidly growing population.
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Dr Cameron said the lack of an intensive care unit, not enough inpatient beds and limited access to key medical specialists was compromising patient care.
Mr Miles responded by emailing Redland Hospital staff, promising a significant expansion of the facility, but he did not give a time frame.
“I … know you are facing growth in demand for your services, caused by a range of factors including population growth, ageing, chronic disease and lack of adequate primary health care,” Mr Miles wrote.
“That is why we are expanding the Redland ED and maternity wards, and why we have plans for a much bigger expansion including an ICU.”
Mr Miles said that expansion would not be possible without first building a new car park.
Dr Cameron stressed that Redland Hospital provided “first-class emergency medical care”, while expressing concern patients often faced days waiting to be admitted to hospital from the ED.
Deputy Opposition leader Tim Mander commended Dr Cameron.
“The situation must be pretty desperate for a man of his standing to come out and highlight these issues,” Mr Mander said.
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