New Roma Hospital major boost for future of regional economy
Roma’s economy is set to boom with the official opening of the its hospital delivering, 97 jobs and offering state of the art medical treatment to the regional communities across south west Queensland.
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Queensland Labor Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk told the crowd at the official launch of the Roma Hospital that no matter how people southwest Queensland voted, they deserved state of the art access to healthcare.
At the official opening on Tuesday, June 1, Ms Palaszczuk said tens of thousands of regional Queenslanders would now have access to world-class health facilities without the burden of travel.
“It’s not just a building, it’s about the people that work here and the community that it will serve,” she said.
“Already this hospital cared for people who were injured in the (Warrego Highway school) bus crash - and I want to thank them for the consideration and care they showed to those people who were injured.
“This hospital made all the difference, so I thank everyone who was involved in dealing with the bus tragedy.”
The Warrego seat has long been held by the LNP for decades, although Premier Palaszczuk said it didn’t matter who the community voted for, it was about ensuring every Queenslander had access to quality health care.
“It doesn’t matter how you vote, we are a government that governs for all of Queensland, and that’s what you see here… because it’s about people who deserve good health facilities no matter where they live,” she said.
The new and improved hospital was delivered as part of the Palaszczuk government’s $21.8 billion investment in public health, which increased the hospital’s outpatient beds to 22, created two birthing suites and two operating theatres.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said in total, the Roma Hospital project created 97 jobs, and that the extra beds allowed the hospital to cater to palliative care and mental health patients.
“This… provided a major boost to the local economy with more than $4m spent directly with local companies during construction, and more than 40 local businesses engaged for contracting work, supply services and materials,” she said.
The $116m project should provide long term economic growth for Roma and neighbouring towns as more people can live in the remote region and be assured their health problems will be catered to.
South West Hospital and Health Service acting health service chief executive Craig Carey said his team was incredibly proud of the ‘shining jewel’, and the opportunities it would open for the community.
“I know it gives people a reason to continue to live in this beautiful community, rather when healthcare sometimes being a reason for people to leave their community,” he said.
Maranoa Mayor Tyson Golder said he was grateful for the new hospital - which had been the largest investment in healthcare in south west Queensland since 1987.
“We look forward to this being of economic growth to our community (now) that we have such top facilities,” he said.
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