Toowoomba leaders call for State Government’s fast-track of new hospital at Baillie Henderson

The Toowoomba region’s health sector employs more than 14,000 people and is worth over $1b. So why does the city still not have a new hospital funded?

Artist impressions of the new Toowoomba Hospital at the site of the old Baillie Henderson Hospital. Photo: Supplied.

Toowoomba’s political and economic leaders have called on the State Government to fast-track the upcoming new public hospital slated for Baillie Henderson.

Mayor Paul Antonio headlined the list of key stakeholders, who want to see the massive project green-lit as soon as possible to deal with a system already at capacity as well as unlock $300m in annual economic activity.

It comes as new economic figures, released by Economy ID and compiled by the Toowoomba Regional Council, point to Darling Downs as a regional healthcare powerhouse.

More than 14,000 people are employed by the health and social assistance sector as of the 2019-20 financial year, while the industry adds more than $1.1bn in value to the region’s economy.

Darling Downs Health has made progress on the business case for the new hospital, with a large parcel of land fronting onto Mort Street in Cranley declared the best option.

Mr Antonio said with the city growing by the day and the current hospitals already at or above capacity in a number of metrics, now was the time for Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to fund the business case for Baillie Henderson.

“Health and social assistance counts for 17 per cent of all jobs, which is 1.5 times above the Queensland average,” he said.

“We deserve it on a number of counts — that has been spelt out a real need for it.

“Now is the time to build a new hospital, get that on paper and start an aggressive program of delivering.

“It would be good just to provide the case based solely on the need (but) we’ll use every component in the argument and we certainly need that hospital sooner rather than later.”

Mr Antonio said while the city’s three hospitals were running as efficiently as possible, it was clear the demand had overwhelmingly outstripped supply for health services.

“Hospitals are working above capacity, and then you run into staffing problems,” he said.

Economic lobby group Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise has recently started work on a Health 2030 road map for the sector.

TSBE health general manager Jaden Frame said a new hospital was not only desperately needed to meet future demands, but its construction and operation would unleash millions in economic potential.

“The construction and economic impact of the hospital, it’s estimated to create the combined effect of over 9000 jobs,” he said.

“That’s just the construction alone, and if you look at the operational side, the combined effect is estimated at around $300m a year.

“If you start investing in the largest employer in the region, there’s a significant multiplier effect.”

LNP deputy leader and Toowoomba South MP David Janetzki said the city and region deserved the new hospital precinct, considering how much it contributed to the state’s economy during Covid-19.

“Toowoomba is one of the key regional capitals in Australia, let alone Queensland,” he said.

“We serve as the epicentre for communities across regional Queensland seeking health services.

“Now is the time for the State Government to invest into our future health needs.

“Our region’s promise to deliver economic prosperity must be matched with investment into services.

“That means there isn’t a moment to waste to kickstart the new hospital, to serve our communities but also attract future economic opportunities.”

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath’s office was contacted for comment.

Treasurer Cameron Dick was asked about the progress of the new hospital when he visited Toowoomba last month as part of a regional budget tour.

Mr Dick said the government was balancing requests for new hospitals across the state, making no firm commitment on Toowoomba’s plan.

Originally published as Toowoomba leaders call for State Government’s fast-track of new hospital at Baillie Henderson