State MPs celebrate election promise at Townsville University Hospital

Labor MPs made the most of the last day before caretaker mode, eager to show off three major projects at Townsville University Hospital worth almost $28 million.

Board chair Tony Mooney, nurse unit manager perioperative and outpatient services Tanya Schafer and member for Mundingburra Les Walker.

Labor MPs have used the day before caretaker mode to highlight the near-completion of three projects within the Townsville University Hospital totalling almost $28m.

The $17m Clinical Services upgrade will be completed early next year when its hybrid operating theatre becomes operational, which will increase the hospital’s surgical capacity and allow integrated medical imaging capabilities.

The $6.6m Outpatients Department is scheduled to be opened within weeks and will improve diabetes and endocrine services in the region.

The $4m North Queensland Persistent Pain Management Service will centralise services for chronic pain patients who previously needed treatment at two different locations.

Mundingburra MP Les Walker and Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper toured the projects on Monday - mindful of the timing of the looming October 26 election - alongside Townsville Hospital and Health chairman Tony Mooney and chief executive Kieran Keyes, where they observed the significance of the projects.

Mr Mooney said he was “immensely proud” of the hybrid theatre because it was unique for regional Australia, and said it was a 2020 election commitment that has finally come to a conclusion after several years of planning.

He thanked hospital staff for helping transition through the process while also helping to consult with patients to show how these facilities could improve.

Acting clinical nurse consultant endocrine and diabetes Kirsty Stewart, member for Mundingburra Les Walker, clinical director of endocrinology Professor Kunwarjit Sangla, member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper, board chair Tony Mooney

“I’m really glad that we’ve listened to those voices and that their views have been incorporated into these facilities.”

Clinical director Kunwarjit Sangla said staff worked hard to deliver tertiary-level diabetes and endocrinology services for North Queensland.

“We wanted to create a diabetes and endocrine centre that caters to children, adolescents,

and adults, which is something that makes the new outpatients’ space unique,” Dr Sangla said.

“The centre will also feature a high-risk foot clinic, support from Indigenous health workers,

dynamic clinical testing capabilities, and a multidisciplinary allied health team.”

Dr Sangla said staff who worked at multiple sites would be relocated across the hospital to service the Outpatients Department.

Member for Mundingburra Les Walker, board chair Tony Mooney, North Queensland Persistent Pain Management Service clinician Dr Hannah Bennett, member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper and North Queensland Persistent Pain Management Services clinical nurse consultant Fiona Whaley

“In time, yes, there will be extra staff employed as for which we will receive funding.”

Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper emphasised the significance of the half-billion-dollar construction of a new clinical building.

He said the projects that delivered services for issues such as diabetes were of particular significance to North Australian communities.

Mundingburra MP Les Walker said the Labor Government invested heavily in health care, and he believed it had done more to support health workers than the previous LNP-led government.

“I want to thank Dr Sangla for the exceptional work that he has led in getting this up and running in 16 weeks from start to finish.

“I want to thank the team for their excellent work, and keep up the great work and we’ll continually invest in our health professionals.”

Originally published as State MPs celebrate election promise at Townsville University Hospital