It was an honour to be a part of the official opening of the Kingaroy Hospital today.
I would like to thank everyone involved in the creation of this new facility, in particular the staff of Kingaroy Hospital for their professionalism and commitment during the construction over the past two years.
There is no doubt that this new building is of vital importance to the health and wellbeing of the people of the South Burnett.
It is a beautiful new building and my community deserves this investment.
However, I think it is important to highlight that while we have shiny new Hospital… it is not a guarantee that we have shiny new services.
We have a Hospital that has leaked since it was opened. The first leak, after just 37mm of rain, damaged the brand new CT scanner and closed down 55% of the beds for months. It leaked again in November and again early this year.
There is also no doubt that Kingaroy Hospital is understaffed. Everyone knows that it’s the staff who ultimately deliver our health services. But there are too many short-staffed shifts, resulting in stressed and overworked doctors and nurses.
And in relation to mental health, unfortunately our region has the highest rate of suicide in the State. Yet we still see no increase in mental health services or specific mental health beds.
I will also continue to advocate for a full-time Paediatrician, a Specialist Cancer Nurse, more mental health services and a Persistent Pain Clinic for the South Burnett.
We need these services to achieve the best health outcomes for my community. This is what they deserve.
Photo: Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington with DDHHS Board Chairman Mike Horan and Board Member, Cheryl Dalton at the official opening of Kingaroy Hospital
