Queensland hospitals in need of repairs

REPAIR work worth $600 million has backed up at Queensland hospitals, leading to calls for the Health Minister to be sacked.

The Oppostion has slammed the Government over its decision to prioritise a hospital name change over maintenance. Picture: Liam Kidston

REPAIR work worth $596 million has backed up at Queensland hospitals.

Health Minister Steven Miles was asked to outline the maintenance backlog in a question on notice this week.

Metro North Health service has the highest value backlog at $219.2 million, followed by the Darling Downs with a $112.9 million repair backlog.

Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said instead of worrying about hospital name changes the Government should be focused on ensuring run-down facilities were fixed.

“While Labor obsess over hospital name changes our health facilities are in desperate need of maintenance,” she said.

“Patients and our hardworking doctors and nurses deserve better than run-down facilities with broken beds and paint falling off the walls.”

Mr Miles declined to comment, but a spokesman for Queensland Health said the department had spent $1.152 billion on maintenance during the past five years.

“Queensland Health is one of the biggest public sector asset owners in Queensland, and hospital and health services across the state own 2587 buildings and structures,” the spokesman said.

“A balance needs to be maintained between spending on maintenance such as repairs, painting and minor upgrades, and investing in more and better services.”

He said backlog maintenance items were risk-assessed to identify any potential impact on services, and to ensure all facilities were always safe.

But Opposition Health spokeswoman Ros Bates said it was time for Mr Miles to go.

“Labor’s mounting hospital maintenance backlog is another example of why Health Minister Steven Miles isn’t up to the job and should be sacked,” she said.