Health Minister Yvette D’Ath gives unclear funding timeline for new $1.8b Toowoomba Hospital

Health Minister Yvette D’Ath has not given a clear timeline on substantial funding for a new $1.8bn Toowoomba Hospital. It comes amid comments made by a Toowoomba MP around the project.

Queensland Health Minister Yvette D'Ath. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled

Queensland’s Health Minister hasn’t given a clear time frame on when funding will be announced for a new Toowoomba Hospital.

Yvette D’Ath’s comments come as Toowoomba’s political and economic leaders last week ramped up the campaign to secure financial support for a new $1.8bn hospital next to Baillie Henderson Hospital.

When asked by The Chronicle whether significant funding would be allocated by 2023, Ms D’Ath said master planning was under way but did not make clear at what stage.

“The Palaszczuk Government is delivering a record $937.2 million to Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service in 2021-22,” she said in a statement.

“The HHS has completed the detailed business case for a new Toowoomba Hospital on the Baillie Henderson Hospital campus, with master planning already underway.

“There is also $42 million in funding for a new Toowoomba Day Surgery at the Baillie Henderson Hospital campus, as we continue to invest in improved health services in Toowoomba and on the Darling Downs.”

Darling Downs Health completed the business case late last year, concluding Baillie Henderson was the only viable long-term option.

Ms D’Ath also responded to comments made by Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts, who hinted that Labor’s factional divisions were behind a lack of action on the business case.

“Schematic design and the business case were completed last year and are with the Government for a decision,” he said.

“The detailed design process of choosing colour schemes and final furnishings for the fit out cannot go any further until the project is funded.

“This excuse of not funding a new hospital is pathetic, the business case is done and to the government’s credit it was done by them when the leader of the left faction was the health minister.

“Why doesn’t Yvette D’Ath trust the business case done by Steven Miles? 

“Is it because he is the leader of the left faction of the Labor Party?”

Ms D’Ath rubbished the claim in her statement, accusing Mr Watts of playing “cheap political games”.

“Trevor Watts’ comments are absolute nonsense and he should be embarrassed that while we’re busy getting on with the job of keeping Queenslanders safe and opening up the economy, he’s playing cheap political games,” she said.