LNP says Redcliffe Hospital is not up to scratch

Both the state’s health minister and the shadow health minister visited Redcliffe Hospital in the past week and they each had very different opinions on the hospital’s health.

There are plans to build a multistorey carpark at Redcliffe Hospital.

BOTH the state’s health minister and the shadow health minister visited Redcliffe Hospital in the past week and they each had very different opinions on the hospital’s health.

The visits to the facility came after Queensland Health data for December 2018 showed an increase in the number of patients left waiting on an ambulance stretcher for a bed at Redcliffe Hospital for more than 30 minutes.

The data showed that 23 per cent of patients were forced to wait — up 7 per cent when compared with ­December, 2017.

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State Health Minister Steven Miles inspects the construction work going on at Redcliffe Hospital. Photo: Erin Smith

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles, who is also the state Labor MP for Murrumba, visited the hospital to ­inspect the progress of the $75 million renovation works that are taking place.

Mr Miles said the government was committed Redcliffe Hospital’s future.

Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates disagreed.

After touring the hospital and speaking to staff, Ms Bates said like many other hospitals in Queensland, Redcliffe needed more beds and better facilities.

“It is already maxed out for bed space in the hospital,” Ms Bates said.

“There is a growing population of young families (in the area) and paediatrics is under pressure.

“There is also a growing number of elderly living longer and dementia is a growing concern.

“It needs more beds now, not in four years’ time.”

Ms Bates said the emergency department, which takes on average up to 200 patients a day, needed to be streamlined.

She said there should be separate streams for patients with mental health issues, children and elderly.

Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates. Photo: AAP /Darren England

The former registered nurse said the hospital also needed an additional CT scanner and MRI machine.

“The Federal Government has provided the licence now it is up to the State Government to purchase one and fund it,” Ms Bates said.

It was not all bad though. Ms Bates was impressed with the new kidney dialysis and day oncology units.

Mr Miles said $3.97 million was being used to improve the paediatrics and maternity wards. Works are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

A department spokeswoman said the upgrades would allow clinicians to care for an average of 450 babies a year in an updated, contemporary environment “that better supports parents in spending as much time as possible with their babies”.

“While the renovations will not increase the nursery’s capacity, they will improve the quality of care the hospital provides, with increased privacy and comfort for mothers and families, and also provide a new monitoring system.”

There has been no update on the purchase of an MRI ­machine.

Work on the new multistorey carpark is expected to start later this year.