Miles Labor Government commits $20 million to expand Mareeba Hospital.
Project would deliver additional capacity to the emergency department, and extra treatment spaces.
In comparison, the LNP sacked 4,400 frontline health workers, including 430 here in the Far North.
Premier Steven Miles has today joined Cook MP Cynthia Lui to make a major commitment to local healthcare services in the Tablelands, if elected this month.
The Miles Labor Government will deliver an expansion and refurbishment of the Mareeba Hospital, to improve patient flow and care.
Major population growth through the region continues to put pressure on the Cairns Hospital and Health Service, and its satellite health facilities.
The expansion of Mareeba Hospital will help alleviate this pressure by delivering the services locals need, closer to home.
Backed by $20 million in funding, the expansion would boost capacity to 16 emergency department beds including two additional resuscitation spaces, an extra isolation space, two additional adult and paediatric spaces and a safe assessment room.
The project would also deliver a dedicated space to digitally link Mareeba Hospital and Cairns Hospital, to ensure patients requiring extra care can be remotely monitored and stabilised.
Since 2020, the Labor Government has invested more than $6.2 million in the Mareeba Hospital.
That includes the $2.9 million medical imaging department extension that delivered a CT scanner for the region, a $950,000 refurbishment of the operating theatre and the recently completed $425,000 upgrade to the palliative care area.
Nearby, the Atherton Hospital is also undergoing an $86.4 million redevelopment – bolstering service delivery through the Tablelands.
Labor has already committed to delivering a Far North Queensland Satellite Hospital, if elected this month.
This will serve to drive down pressure on local emergency departments and provide free access to non-urgent care in the community.
In comparison, David Crisafulli and the LNP cut $1.6 billion from the Health Budget.
The LNP sacked 4,400 frontline health workers, including 430 here in the Far North. 70 of those were nurses.
Quotes attributable to Cook MP Cynthia Lui:
“I want Mareeba locals to have access to a world-class facility that matches the excellent service provided our dedicated health heroes here at Mareeba Hospital.
“Today, our Premier and Labor have made that commitment.
“If elected, we will expand the Mareeba Hospital to deliver better care in our community, and a dedicated connection to Cairns Hospital.
“My community is growing and changing, and so are our health needs.
“With this funding, the Miles Labor Government is doing what matters to improve the health outcomes of this region.”
Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:
“I’ve made it clear to Queenslanders that no matter where you live, I will deliver for you.
“In Mareeba, we know the health care needs are changing and the current facilities need an upgrade to meet future demand.
“That’s why I’m committing $20 million towards the upgrade of the Mareeba Hospital.
“Better care, closer to home – that’s my guarantee and I will deliver.”
Quotes attributable to Health Minister Shannon Fentiman:
“I’m thrilled we will deliver this expansion for the Mareeba community, if elected in October.
“Local member Cynthia Lui has passionately advocated for this expansion for the Mareeba community since day one.
“The Miles Government is committed to delivering great-quality healthcare, closer to home for Queenslanders in the far north – and that’s exactly what this investment will do.
“The LNP 96 frontline health workers when they had the chance and we know they’ll do it again. Queenslanders can’t afford the risk the LNP are to our health system.”
ENDS
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