Redland Hospital: Govt slammed over dire bed shortage

The LNP Deputy Leader has slammed the Palaszczuk government for funding cuts and not addressing the dire bed shortage at a southeast Queensland hospital after an emergency physician exposed the problems in an open letter to the community.

Dr Michael Cameron, an emergency physician at Redland Hospital, who wrote an open letter to the People of Redland about lack of beds and access to medical specialties at Redland Hospital. Picture: AAP/Steve Pohlner

LNP Deputy Leader Tim Mander has slammed the Palaszczuk government for hospital funding cuts and not addressing the dire bed shortage at Redland hospital.

Mr Mander said Redland Hospital is one of the state’s worst-performing hospitals.

Emergency doctor blows whistle on Redland Hospital crisis

Redland Hospital: Doctor reveals bed shortages, safety concerns in open letter to community

“Elective surgery waiting lists are blown out, emergency departments are overcrowded and ambulance ramping is the worst in the state,” he said.

It comes after a Redland Hospital doctor Michael Cameron exposed the shocking bed shortages and long waiting lists for emergency treatment at the hospital.

Mr Mander commended Dr Cameron for blowing the whistle on his hospital.

“The situation must be pretty desperate for a man of his standard to come out and highlight these issues. Of course it should not come to this,” Mr Mander said outside Redland Hospital on Thursday.

LNP MP for Oodgeroo Mark Robinson claims the state government has cut $40 million in state hospital funding including Redland’s budget.

“Labor’s cuts to health are hurting Redlanders … I’m saying to the premier today, enough is enough,” he said.

When asked whether the LNP had plans to expand the hospital when they were in government, Mr Mander rebuffed the question.

“When we were in government it was four years ago and what our plans were are totally irrelevant...”

“What’s important is the state government responds right now,” Mr Mander said.

Earlier this morning, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she was considering an infrastructure ‘Master Plan’ for Redland Hospital.

“We are actually now looking at a new Redland Hospital Master Plan which includes a new intensive care unit.

Ms Palaszczuk said her government has given the hospital $27 million in the last two years and she’s “confident” the hospital will have enough support.

I’m confident the necessary supports needed at Redlands will be taken care of,” she said.

In response to the Premier’s hospital Master Plan pledge, Mr Mander said he wants to see more “action.”

“They have been talking about master plans for ages. They seem to have a place to have a plan. That’s what this government does - it talks about the issues but does not back it up with action. Dr Cameron’s comments today are saying the situation is desperate and it needs an immediate response,” Mr Mander said.