New beds announced for Rockhampton Hospital’s long-stay patients

On any given night there can be up to 70 long-stay patients in Rockhampton Hospital. With the election looming, the Miles Government has revealed its million-dollar development to decrease pressure.

Rockhampton Hospital is about to have access to 30 additional beds for their patients after striking a deal with an aged-care facility on the Capricorn Coast.

Rockhampton Hospital is about to have access to 30 additional beds for their patients after striking a deal with an aged-care facility on the Capricorn Coast.

The Sunset Ridge nursing home in Emu Park will house up to 30 long-stay patients from December onwards.

The $9 million per-annum deal is expected to help increase patient flow in Rockhampton Hospital sector while also providing quality care for long-stay patients elsewhere.

Rockhampton Hospital is about to have access to 30 additional beds for their patients after striking a deal with an aged-care facility on the Capricorn Coast.

Executive Director at Allied Health Services Kerri-Anne Frakes said the state-funded initiative is a positive development for Rockhampton Hospital.
“It’s no secret that we have had enormous demand on our hospital beds - it’s really impacted our patient flow,” Mrs Frakes said.

“We’re really delighted to have the opportunity to expand our aged care beds by 30 through this agreement with Bolton Clark.
 “These 30 beds will be phased in over the next two months and will support us to improve our patient flow through the entire journey, including major improvements through our emergency department.”

Rockhampton Hospital.

Bolton Clarke Director of Operations FNQ Myreen Bevan said their company are thankful for the opportunity to support Rockhampton.

“Bolton Clark is really excited to be partnering with the hospital in order to help the community,” Mrs Bevan said.

 Labor MP for Keppel Brittany Lauga said she expects the initiative to be successful.

“We know that on any given night there can be up to 70 long-stay patients here at the Rockhampton Hospital,” she said.

“I’m really excited to see how we are going to be able to help with the outflow of patients from the hospital into appropriate accommodation.
 “I have no doubt that this will be welcomed by the many long-stay patients in the hospital - they would be much more comfortable in a facility like the beautiful Sunset Ridge in Emu Park.”