Meaghan Scanlon hits back at Laura Gerber claim that voters misled over Tugun Satellite Hospital
Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon has delivered a cutting rebuke to claims voters were ‘deceived’ over the Tugun Satellite Hospital. WHAT SHE SAID
Gold Coast
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Environment Minister and Gaven MP Meaghan Scanlon has hit back at claims by Currumbin MP Laura Gerber that voters were “deceived” over the Tugun satellite hospital, saying the LNP was “good at bagging, not building”.
Leaked audio this week revealed a senior Queensland Health director said she lobbied the state government not to use the words “satellite hospital” to describe such facilities, leading the opposition to accuse Labor of “hoodwinking” voters.
“The Tugun satellite hospital isn’t a real hospital,” Ms Gerber said.
“We have been deceived into thinking it’s a hospital but it’s not a hospital. There’s no ED, there’s no overnight beds, there’s no operating theatre.
“We need to make sure that on the southern Gold Coast we have the health service that the community deserves and right now we’re not getting it from this state government.”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in July turned the first sod on the Tugun Satellite Hospital, which will offer simple day-therapy services such as complex wound management and care for minor injuries and illnesses.
Ms Scanlon said it was wrong to suggest anyone was deceived, saying the government had been clear about the purpose of the new facilities.
“We were very clear when we made the election commitment to deliver our satellite hospitals, and I quote the Deputy Premier at the time in a media release ‘that it will deliver ambulatory and simple day services’,” Ms Scanlon said.
“So, we have always been incredibly clear about what these services would provide, we make no apology for investing in our public health care system.
“... They are satellite hospitals – built near major hospitals – to bring that care closer to home and free up capacity in those hospitals.
“The LNP are good at bagging, not building.”
Ms Scanlon was speaking at Robina Hospital, where a second CT scanner has just been installed.
Ms Scanlon said the scanner would give the hospital, which currently sees more than 18,000 scans done a year, greater capacity to diagnose and treat patients.
“It means more patients can be looked after, and looked after quicker,” she said.
“It builds on a record health and hospitals plan for Queensland, which includes a new $1.3 billion hospital in the city’s north plus a satellite hospital at Tugun and bed expansions at Robina and Gold Coast university hospital.
“That’s on top of more paramedics, more nurses, and vital infrastructure like public transport and M1 upgrades.
“Our city will be home to 800,000 people by the time the Olympics rolls around, and our investment now means better services, good jobs and protecting our great lifestyle as we grow.”
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