Toowoomba hospitals to get $120 million budget boost

Health spending will loom large in the 2024-25 State Budget and the Darling Downs is set to see an increase to pay for more beds and more staff

The Darling Down Hospital and Health Service will receive a 11 per cent funding boost in the 2024-25 Queensland Budget

The Darling Downs is set to receive an extra about $120 million in the 2024-25 Queensland Budget to pay for extra staff and beds at our hospitals.

Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service will receive a $1.243 billion budget allocation, which is a 11.7 per cent increase compared to last year.

The money will pay for an estimated 209 full-time equivalent positions, taking the services staffing to 5418 FTE positions.

About $7.03 million will be dedicated to expanding regional and rural virtual beds by 17 beds.

These virtual beds support long-stay initiatives and assist the health service to manage patient volume.

The budget allocates almost $500,000 for initiatives like extended hours for medical imaging and additional staff in emergency departments.

An additional $5 million will go to recurrent funding for two theatres dedicated to same day procedures in the Darling Downs.

Mental health and alcohol and other drug services receive a significant boost with $7.83 million in additional Mental Health Levy funding allocated under Better Care Together.

This covers services like Child and Youth Acute Response team which provides help to teens and children experiencing mental health crisis and suicidality, and the establishment of a specialist eating disorder service in partnership with West Moreton Hospital and Health Service.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said that Queenslanders deserved world-class health care, no matter where they lived.

“That’s why the Miles Government is investing in both existing and new health services and facilities across the region,” she said.

“One of the many exciting projects in the Darling Downs is the addition of two dedicated day surgery theatres in Toowoomba, reducing the need for overnight stays, allowing patients to recover at home sooner.

“Making sure Queenslanders can access the care they need, when they need it is why we’re extending hours for medical imaging and increasing staffing in emergency departments.