Sunshine Coast Hospital receives $1.795 billion from State Budget

The Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health budget will balloon out to nearly $1.8 billion, money which will help fund more than 800 new full time healthcare positions.

Sunshine Coast University Hospital. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health budget will increase by 11.6 per cent, reaching a total of $1.795 billion to address the growing healthcare demands of the region.

The Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service received a significant funding boost in this year’s state budget.

The boost translates to an increase in staff numbers and beds to help improve patient care, including an additional 801 budgeted full time equivalent (FTE) positions, from 6692 to 7493.

Enhanced access to care at home is a key focus, with $6 million provided to support long stay patient initiatives through four beds for pediatric Hospital in the Home and access to ten private aged care beds. This will provide more options for patients who can recover comfortably outside of a hospital setting.

A $620,000 thousand funding boost and 2.6 FTE will be directed towards Gympie Hospital for more staff and extended hours for medical imaging and nursing care, streamlining patient care.

Additionally, funding will be allocated to boost medical imaging at Sunshine Coast University Hospital and additional services will be commissioned following completion of the Nambour General Hospital redevelopment.

Ambulances ramped at outside emergency room at Sunshine Coast University Hospital. Picture: Patrick Woods.

Under Better Care Together, an allocation of $15.44 million of Mental Health Levy funding will bolster mental health and alcohol and other drug treatment and supports in the region. This includes funding for the continuation of a child and youth acute response team, which will provide timely and effective treatment and care for children and adolescents experiencing mental health crises and suicidality.

The Health Minister Shannon Fentiman. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

“No matter your location, Queenslanders deserve access to world class healthcare services,” Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said.

“It’s why our new budget focuses on increasing staff, expanding home care options, improving services at key hospitals, and significantly bolstering mental health support programs.

“It also demonstrates the government’s commitment to strengthening healthcare for the growing Sunshine Coast community, with funding for 801 new positions.

“This means the Sunshine Coast HHS can hire more nurses, doctors, and other vital staff, directly improving patient care.”

Member for Caloundra, Jason Hunt, also welcomed the news.

Caloundra MP Jason Hunt. Picture Lachie Millard

“I have been fighting to ensure our health service has the budget it needs to continue evolving, growing, and delivering for Queenslanders,” he said.

“We want all Queenslanders to be happy and healthy, and the new budget means we can deliver the health heroes and beds to support our growing regions.

“I’m particularly proud of the support for healthcare in this year’s budget that will ensure our health system continues to get bigger and better.”

Member for Nicklin Rob Skelton agreed.

“The health and wellbeing of Queenslanders is a top priority of the government, and I’m glad to see the state budget is prioritising investment in our local services,” he said.

“This funding increase will empower our frontline health heroes to deliver world class healthcare to Queenslanders when and where they need it most.”

Originally published as Sunshine Coast Hospital receives $1.795 billion from State Budget