LNP Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said after three, long years, the people of Nambour were finally getting an upgrade to their hospital, but questioned why it had taken so long.
“Not only did Annastacia Palaszczuk and Labor have to be dragged into making this important hospital upgrade, the announcement by Steven Miles is three years late,” Ms Bates said.
“Former Labor Health Minister Cameron Dick promised the people of Nambour their hospital upgrade would be finished by 2018, not starting in 2018.*
“Labor’s delayed transition plan for this Hospital has put patient care at risk in one of the main growth regions.
“We expect to see this money in the budget and the upgrade to happen as soon as possible.
“Local patients and staff deserve much better,” Ms Bates said.
Local Member for Nicklin Marty Hunt said that while he welcomed the hospital announcement, it had been delayed for three, long years.
“The people of Nambour have been patiently waiting for this funding to finally be approved and in the meantime, our hospital was put on life support,” Mr Hunt said.
“Since the removal of more than half of the staff from the hospital business in the region has really suffered.
“Jobs have been lost and those businesses that have survived are still feeling the pinch.
“It’s taken three years to do a business case and we need this upgrade to happen as soon as possible.”
* Note commitment in final paragraph of 2015 media release from former Labor Health Minister Cameron Dick http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2015/8/19/future-of-nambour-general-hospital-secure