Gov to spend $1m-plus renaming ‘confusing’ satellite hospitals

The government will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars renaming seven satellite hospitals following overwhelming support from medical professionals. See the proposed names.

The government will spend hundreds of thousands of dollars renaming seven satellite hospitals following overwhelming support from medical professionals, a new survey has revealed.

More than 2700 health workers were surveyed over what Queensland’s seven satellite hospitals should be renamed as, with less than 5 per cent voting to keep the current name.

A clinical advisory group will now consider the survey options and provide a recommendation to Health Minister Tim Nicholls by January 17.

The wave of patients seeking urgent medical care at the satellite hospitals sparked months of debate over whether the clinics were appropriately named, with the Australian Medical Association of Queensland warning the former Labor government that the term “satellite hospital” was causing confusion.

Between July and September, 1988 category one and two patients in need of urgent emergency care turned up to six satellite hospitals across the South East, up from 1578 patients the previous quarter.

Another 10,424 category three patients requiring semi-urgent care also attended satellite hospitals instead of an emergency department. Satellite hospitals are equipped to deal with non-life-threatening illnesses or injury.

Former Health Minister Shannon Fentiman with then-Premier Steven Miles officially opening the Bribie Island Satellite Hospital at Bongaree. Picture: Lachie Millard

New names to be considered include satellite health centre, community health hub, community health service, satellite health hub or ambulatory health service.

Additional name proposals included minor injury and illness clinics, urgent care centre, community health centre, health care hub, healthcare service, health service or health support service.

“The name satellite hospital has led to confusion in the community about what services are available at these facilities,” Mr Nicholls said.

“This survey is a critical step in the government’s commitment to ensure the public is fully aware of health services available to them so they can receive the

right care in the right place at the right time.”

In 2018 the Palaszczuk government dedicated half a million dollars to renaming the Lady Cilento Hospital the Queensland Children’s Hospital using funds from the Public Works budget.

If the same method is applied to the renaming of the seven satellite hospitals, it will cost the government north of $1m.

New Health Minister Tim Nicholls during a visit to the Eight Mile Plains satellite hospital.

Mr Nicholls in November denied the name changes would cost “millions” and assured any costs would come directly from the existing $29bn Queensland Health budget.

“It’s not going to cost a cent more than already been allocated in the budget,” he said.

“I think that would be fairly modest costs … depending on how extensive the name changes (are).”

Mr Nicholls also assured that the seven satellite hospitals in Caboolture, Redland, Ripley, Tugun, Kallangur, Eight Mile Plains and Bribie Island would continue to operate as usual.

“I want to emphasise to the community that this consultation is not about altering the care provided by frontline staff, but ensuring the community’s and clinicians’ voices are heard and health facilities are appropriately named,” he said.

“The community will still receive the same level of care currently delivered by our dedicated nurses, medical officers and allied health professionals.”

SATELLITE HOSPITAL PATIENT BREAKDOWN:

Tugun – 5 cat 1, 242 cat 2, 1161 cat 3

Caboolture – 1 cat 1, 191 cat 2, 1513 cat 3

Kallangur – 3 cat 1, 286 cat 2, 1886 cat 3

Eight Mile Plains – 5 cat 1, 465 cat 2, 1966 cat 3

Redland – 6 cat 1, 285 cat 2, 1028 cat 3

Ripley – 10 cat 1, 489 cat 2 2688 cat 3

Total:

Cat 1 = 30

Cat 2 = 1958

Cat 3 = 10242

Originally published as Gov to spend $1m-plus renaming ‘confusing’ satellite hospitals