State still undecided on services offered by seven satellite hospitals
Two years out from their expected opening date, the State Government is still deciding on the services offered by seven new satellite hospitals promised before the last election.
QLD News
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The State Government is still working out what services its satellite hospitals will offer – two years out from when they are expected to open.
The seven facilities were announced during last year’s state election, with Labor saying they would take pressure off nearby hospitals.
AMAQ president Chris Perry said six of the satellite hospitals should be used for day surgery and the seventh used to treat indigenous patients exclusively.
He said it was an indictment that Queensland’s indigenous people had such poor access to health care, often seeking treatment so late that their cancers were inoperable.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the services to be provided at each hospital was being determined.
“The satellite hospitals program will provide cost effective and sustainable healthcare solutions that cater to local communities and reduce demand on our major hospitals,” she said.
“These services will be in response to the needs of the local community, but may include local health services, ambulatory and low acuity day therapy services such as renal dialysis and chemotherapy and outpatient activities.”
Dr Perry said the planned facilities were “a great down payment” on taking some stress off the larger, tertiary hospitals and secondary hospitals like Logan and QEII.
He urged they be run like private hospitals “where there’s a good, small team that’s used to working quickly” and patients are in and out within a day.
QNMU secretary Beth Mohle wants the satellite hospitals geared towards community-based care.
She said programs where nurses went into people’s homes significantly reduced the amount of acute care beds being taken up and was vital for an ageing population.
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