Palaszczuk Government will not commit to new CT scanners in district hospitals

None of the region’s district hospitals have computed tomography scanners with patients being transferred by ambulance to Townsville or private clinics.

The Palaszczuk Labor Government is refusing to commit to buying CT scanners for district hospitals that the Katter’s Australian Party say will reduce pressure on Queensland’s public health system.

None of the Townsville region’s district hospitals in Charters Towers, Ingham and Ayr have computed tomography scanners with patients being transferred by ambulance to the Townsville University Hospital (TUH) or private local clinics during business hours.

Other district hospitals without CT scanners include Dalby, Stanthorpe, Moranbah, Charleville and St George, while the remainder in Queensland are fully-equipped.

KAP Leader Robbie Katter said ambulance ramping, bed blockages and staff shortages could be reduced if the Palaszczuk government funded CT scanners in all district hospitals. Picture David Clark

Queensland Health said it regularly reviewed its services to ensure it met “current and emerging demand and adjust them as necessary”.

A spokesperson said a new CT scanner was commissioned at Bowen Hospital (Mackay HHS) in June and delivery was being finalised for a new scanner at Thursday Island (Torres and Cape HHS).

“Detailed Business Cases are currently in development for Rockhampton Hospital Emergency Department (Central Queensland HHS) and Moranbah Hospital (Central Queensland HHS) and include plans for new CT scanners.”

Queensland Health said planning for CT services had identified sites for further expansion or investigation of CT services.

“Additional planning is required by the Hospital and Health Services to identify funding, workforce and supporting services, including ambulance transport services availability, and opportunities for public-private partnerships prior to business cases for capital infrastructure being undertaken,” the spokesperson said.

“However, the development and provision of any new or additional services must demonstrate sufficient and sustainable demand, which in turn ensures appropriate levels of staffing and ongoing maintenance of staff skills to ensure clinically safe and sustainable services.”

KAP Deputy Leader Nick Dametto and Leader Robbie Katter. Picture: Matt Taylor

KAP Leader Robbie Katter said ambulance ramping, bed blockages and staff shortages could be reduced if the Palaszczuk government funded CT scanners in all district hospitals.

Mr Katter said chronic underinvestment in rural and regional health facilities had led to a centralisation of services at overburdened tertiary-level hospitals.

He said the frequency of “code yellows” — where demand for a hospital’s service exceeded capacity — at TUH showed the current situation was unsustainable.

“Every single district hospital in Queensland needs a CT scanner, and today we are calling for the first investments to occur in the North,” he said.

“In the Townsville region, none of our district hospitals – which service populations of well above 10,000 people – have this important yet basic medical infrastructure.”

Members of the Ingham Health Service Community Advisory Network meeting with Kennedy MP Bob Katter at Ingham Hospital, which does not have a CT scanner. Picture: Cameron Bates

KAP Deputy Leader Nick Dametto said hospital transfers tied up significant ambulance and hospital staffing resources across the Townsville region.

“If a patient is to be transferred to Townsville or a local provider for a scan, then not only can this tie up an ambulance but a nurse is required to travel as well,” the Hinchinbrook MP said.

“Our paramedics, nurses, doctors and medical staff should be utilized as efficiently as possible during a time of staff shortages and having the right medical services and equipment locally would help relieve these pressures.”

Originally published as Palaszczuk Government will not commit to new CT scanners in district hospitals