Tuesday 9th August is an important opportunity for the South Burnett community to have their say about hospital services in our region. If you've got an experience you'd like to share, we want to hear from you.
This special 'Health Crisis Meeting' will be held in Kingaroy at the Uniting Church Hall from 10.30am. I have invited my colleagues, Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli, and Shadow Minister for Health, Ros Bates to attend so they can hear the stories firsthand that so many people have shared with me about our local hospital services. It's an opportunity for our community to speak up, demand change and fight for the health care we deserve. It's an opportunity to support our stressed and overworked doctors and nurses.
Since the opening of the new Kingaroy Hospital in early 2021, I have been asking the Labor Government questions about staffing at the facility, problems with its construction and the lack of services we are still experiencing. There is no doubt that the Kingaroy Hospital is a beautiful new building, and our community deserves this investment. However, while we have a shiny new Hospital… it has not guaranteed shiny new services. Help us shine a light on the problems we are facing with hospital services in our region.
Secure your spot by registering at: https://www.trybooking.com/CBHTC
Where: St John's Lutheran Primary School, 92 Ivy Street, Kingaroy
When: Tuesday 9 August 2022, 10:30am - 11:30am
I look forward to seeing you there.
Deb
P.S. Here's a link to a short video about some of the other Health Crisis Meetings that have been held by the LNP across Queensland by my State Opposition team, along with part of the media conference announcing Kingaroy as the location for our 20th Health Crisis meeting.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington is encouraging the South Burnett community to take part in a ‘Health Crisis Meeting’ to be held in Kingaroy on Tuesday 9th August.
Mrs Frecklington said this was an important opportunity to speak up and force change when it comes to our local Hospital services.
“Every day I receive complaints from patients and staff about our local hospital services in Kingaroy, Murgon and Nanango,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“Since the opening of the new Kingaroy Hospital in early 2021, I have been asking the Labor Government questions about the staffing at the facility, problems with its construction and the lack of services we are still experiencing.
“There is no doubt that the Kingaroy Hospital is a beautiful new building, and my community deserves this investment. However, while we have shiny new Hospital… it is not a guarantee that we have shiny new services.
“There is a major understaffing problem. 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.
“Opposition Leader, David Crisafulli and Shadow Minister for Health, Ros Bates will be attending. We want to hear people’s stories so we can keep pressing the State Government to listen and take some real action.
“Details about how to register for this important event will be available on my Facebook page soon,” Deb said.
The threat of foot and mouth disease cannot be underestimated.
It is a massive concern, and I don’t think our economy has faced a bigger threat than Foot and Mouth Disease.
I support the call to heighten biosecurity at our national borders and for people returning from Indonesia to be vigilant and respectful of the biosecurity threat they pose.
Agriculture and the livestock industry is the backbone of the entire Nanango Electorate, and this is an issue which affects my community as a whole.
I am also very concerned about the mental health impacts on our primary producers. They have faced years of drought, floods, COVID restrictions and to now be faced with a threat like FMD, there is no doubt that this will be taking a further toll.
I have asked for a briefing from the State Agriculture Minister about what plans are in place to help protect Queensland producers, and in particular, understand if they understand how serious the risk of FMD is for our Queensland economy and the future of our primary producers.
Member for Nanango, Deb Frecklington says she has received written confirmation from the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service (DDHHS) that the Murgon Palliative Care Unit continues to be used as a COVID ward.
Mrs Frecklington said the information came in response to questions she asked the DDHHS on behalf of the community after concerns were raised about whether this would be a temporary or permanent change.
“The DDHHS have confirmed this is a temporary change, however, how long this change remains in place is unknown,” Mrs Frecklington said.
“While I understand the need for our local Hospitals to be able to care for people with COVID in an isolated area, it is very disappointing to learn that people who need palliative care in Murgon will not be able to use the special palliative care room.
“The room’s intended purpose was for patients at the end of life, and their families, to have a private, well-equipped room in their final days.
“Now we see a return to these patients being cared for a in a normal single hospital room.
“It is very disappointing for the community, who worked so hard to make the Palliative Care suite a reality,” Deb said.
