Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says she has written to the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service about the use of the Murgon Palliative Care Unit as a COVID ward.
Mrs Frecklington said she had received enquiries about the Murgon Palliative Care Unit and when it would be returned to its intended purpose.
“I understand the Murgon Palliative Care Unit has been converted into a COVID-19 ward,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Given we have just had National Palliative Care week (22-28 May), it is timely to highlight this issue and advocate on behalf of the Murgon community who deserve the right to high-quality palliative care when they need it.
“In fact, the Palliative Care Unit at the Murgon Hospital was made possible by the generous donations of the community and the hard work of the Murgon Hospital Auxiliary and other community groups.
“The community rightly want to know whether this is a permanent or temporary change.
“We know the staff at Murgon Hospital do an amazing job, but the community want to know how and where palliative care patients are currently being cared for at Murgon.
“The conversions of wards into COVID-19 care facilities is occurring at other small regional hospital, such as at Chinchilla, where the maternity suites are now a COVID ward.
“These types of decisions have wider implications, and in Chinchilla, it means expectant mothers must travel to Dalby for the birth of their child.
“I believe the community deserve to understand what is happening with the Murgon Palliative Care Unit, and on their behalf I have written to the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service seeking answers to these questions, and communication with the Murgon community,” Deb said.
