$20m to upgrade Queensland Health’s rundown spinal unit months after allegations of neglect

The state government will spend $20m to upgrade the state’s spinal unit months after explosive allegations of patient neglect and mistreatment.

Queensland’s rundown spinal injuries unit will receive an “immediate” $20m funding injection but won’t be relocated the state government has revealed, months after explosive allegations by whistleblowers of neglect and subpar treatment.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman confirmed the state’s sole 40-bed Spinal Cord Injury Service, located at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, would get a $20m to make immediate improvements to the existing unit.

This is on top of an ongoing plan — backed by $5m for a business case — to look into building a new “state of the art” facility.

But an initial idea to relocate the entire unit to the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) at Metro North Hospital and Health Service has been scrapped following feedback from stakeholders including patients.

The spinal unit at the PA Hospital in Brisbane will receive a $20m funding boost. Picture: Tertius Pickard

The Courier-Mail in April revealed paralysed patients were being left to lie in their own faeces, sit naked in front of other patients and subjected to aggressive bowel treatments.

Several former patients including 2021 Queenslander of the Year Dinesh Palipana, who is an emergency doctor, alleged neglect and degradation at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

The state government in turn launched an investigation, then committed $5m for a business case to begin planning a new state of the art building.

The latest funding will go toward a range of improvements, including more bathrooms, toilets, therapy spaces and a new food service model.

According to the government new nurses and allied health staff have also been hired to “ensure patients receive timely and quality care”.

Queensland Health, under then-Chief Operating Officer David Rosengren, had previously considered a temporary relocation of the spinal unit to the Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) at Metro North Hospital and Health Service.

But this won’t go ahead.

Shaun Podbury, a current patient at the spinal injury unit, said the decision not to relocate the unit was the right one as he heralded the government for not following through with the ill-considered “knee jerk” idea.

“It’s more than the simplicity of relocation a bunch of beds, there is a whole infrastructure here (like allied health and other services) that relies on the Princess Alexandra Hospital,” he said.

Instagram image of Shannon Fentiman visiting the spinal unit at PA Hospital

Mr Podbury, who suffered severe ruptures to his spine in a paragliding accident, said the biggest issues impacting the unit was a lack of funding and staff, asserting also the building was not fit for purpose.

“Because of the spotlight on the unit morale was degrading and they’ve lost a lot of experienced staff,” he said.

“So it isn’t much better on the ground (now compared to earlier in 2023) but the announcement today will be the start of a very big turning point.”

Queensland Health will develop, through consultation, a new statewide service model for spinal cord injury services to create a blueprint on how “care can be better provided”.

“This is another important step towards ensuring that patients with spinal cord injuries are receiving the best care possible here in Queensland,” Ms Fentiman said.

“Immediate upgrades to the existing building will lead to safer and more dignified care, as well as vastly improved patient safety.

“I know this process has been challenging for many people, particularly the unit’s patients and staff, and I appreciate their feedback, patience and resilience.”