St Andrew’s Ipswich Private Hospital unveils 32-bed McGregor Ward

The first completed stage of a $40.5 million upgrade of Ipswich’s only private hospital has been revealed as controversy over the region’s public hospital continues.

Ipswich’s only private hospital today unveiled a brand new, multimillion-dollar surgical ward.

St Andrew’s Ipswich Private Hospital unveiled the first completed stage of its $40.5 million upgrade this morning — the 32-bed McGregor Ward — which will allow more locals to receive care close to home.

An additional seven patient beds will be provided in the coming months as the rest of the project is completed.

Ipswich West MP Jim Madden, Ipswich MP Jennifer Howard, Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding, Dr Bob McGregor, and St Andrew's Ipswich Private Hospital CEO Claire Thurwood at the opening of The McGregor Ward at St Andrew's Ipswich Private Hospital on May 4, 2022. Picture: Jessica Baker

St Andrew’s Ipswich CEO Claire Thurwood said the new ward will cater for all surgical cases and support the two new operating theatres also being developed as part of the project.

“As well as expanding our private health care offerings, this project allows us to broaden our renal dialysis unit for public patients, which means we can further support the West Moreton Health Service by almost doubling the number of patients treated for kidney disease,” she said.

The upgrade will see the renal dialysis unit expanded from 12 to 20 chairs, infusion services expanded from eight to 12 chairs, the addition of a new radiation oncology service, the IMED radiology practice expanded, and the day rehabilitation space expanded.

St Andrew's Ipswich Private Hospital CEO Claire Thurwood and Dr Bob McGregor at the opening of The McGregor Ward at St Andrew's Ipswich Private Hospital on May 4, 2022. Picture: Jessica Baker

The new ward has been named after Ipswich’s first paediatrician Dr Bob McGregor, who only recently retired after helping generations of local families since 1974. He was named Queensland’s Senior Australian of the Year in 2014.

“Mr McGregor is a well-respected member of the Ipswich community and played an important role at St Andrew’s Ipswich Private Hospital for a very long time,” Ms Thurwood said.

“The ward named in his honour will allow an additional 32 Ipswich locals to receive care in the region at any time, increasing to 39 upon completion of the expansion.”

The expansion is due to be completed in June next year.

The $40.5 million upgrade project will allow an additional 39 Ipswich locals to receive care at the hospital at any time. Picture: Jessica Baker

The ward opening comes four years after the region’s very first private emergency department, also at St Andrew’s Ipswich, increase capacity from 94 to 178 beds.

Work on the emergency department was completed as part of a major $64 million redevelopment.

Meanwhile, the Liberal National Party has committed to take the “harrowing” stories of Ipswich residents to the floor of state parliament after it hosted a “health crisis” town-hall meeting on Wednesday April 27.

LNP leader David Crisafulli said a 50:50 funding split on health with the Commonwealth would be “ideal” while at the Health Crisis Town Hall in Raceview last week. Picture: Tara Croser

“Queensland has the worst ramping rates in Australia and at hospitals like Ipswich (Hospital) it’s soared to above 50 per cent,” LNP leader David Crisafulli said.

“Lives are on the line here.”

Mr Crisafulli used the meeting to again offer his support for an “ideal” 50:50 funding split on health with the federal government.

The party claimed Ipswich Hospital has the worst ambulance ramping in the state, with 56 per cent of patients who arrive in ambulances waiting more than 30 minutes for treatment.

Originally published as St Andrew’s Ipswich Private Hospital unveils 32-bed McGregor Ward