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SCUHAG

Chairman’s Report September 2011

Sunshine Coast University Hospital Action Group

Chairman’s Report September 2011

Recently there has been reports in the S/C Daily stating SCUHAG was a front for the Liberals or LNP. This is not the first nor will it probably be the last time these accusations are made. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

For those members who do not know us, I assure you we are an apolitical group who works with any member of parliament or resident who is interested in our cause. We certainly work with Jarrod Bleijie MP. He is the local member of parliament, a great supporter and we are proud to have him give us support.

Politics are not an issue with SCUHAG. Decisions are made by members therefore SCUHAG will continue doing what it has been doing, that is achieving the best public health facilities for our growing region.

Oceania, Wises Rd Maroochydore gained the contract for public radiation treatment. This began 5th September 2011. Finally  improvement in some areas of S/C Health system. Some patients travelling to Brisbane for radiation treatment may be treated locally.

1st September 2011 Ramsay Health Care began work on their new private hospital at the Kawana site. This private hospital will open 2013. The services it will bring to the coast should see improvement in both public and private facilities. Many residents may not be aware that on a number of occasions there has been a shortage of Private beds on the Sunshine Coast. This puts even more pressure on the Public hospital system. When Ramsay’s Private Hospital opens in 2013, up to 110 beds will be for public use. This is great in the fact MANY patients have to endure the travel to Brisbane, and have the trauma of distance from their family. These patients should be given priority wherever possible. The only problem SCUHAG finds is,

If most public beds in the private hospital are used to treat urgent and patients normally travelling to Brisbane [this must happen] the winners in bed numbers has to be Brisbane. Take out just a small percentage of S/C patients travelling to Brisbane [there are many] put them into the private hospital /public system and all public beds are full. This leaves little room for improvement in long waiting times for other procedures like minor surgery. The fast tracking of the S/C Public Hospital, no matter what political party is in power, is essencial to combat the growing population and prevent minor operations spiralling even further.

 

WORK will finally start on the Sunshine Coast University Hospital

WORK will finally start on the Sunshine Coast University Hospital project site today (1/9/2011), generating 11,250 building-related jobs over the next five years.

The turning of the first sod on the 20-hectare greenfield site at Kawana signals the revitalisation of the region's struggling construction industry.

The building phase of the new 200-bed Ramsay Health private hospital will generate about 250 construction jobs.

When it opens in late 2013, work will then begin on the neighbouring $2.03 billion public hospital, generating 11,000 construction-related jobs. The early site works between now and Christmas will allow for the actual “physical construction” of the $150 million private hospital to start early next year.

Workforce planning is under way to attract the 700 medical staff needed to operate the hospital, which will be of similar size to Bundaberg Public Hospital.

The State Government will purchase up to 110 beds worth of public patient services from Ramsay Health until the public hospital is completed with 450 beds in 2016.

The public hospital was originally slated to open in 2014.

But the Government, citing the economic downturn, announced in 2009 that the hospital would be delayed by two years.

Akalan project director David Duffy said the private hospital construction workers would comprise subcontractors engaged to perform trade-based work packages.

“Suitable companies to perform these work packages will be sought from the Sunshine Coast and we expect to create a number of work opportunities for the local community,” Mr Duffy said.

The four-storey private hospital will have six state-of-the-art operating theatres, a minor procedural suite, a day surgery centre and an eight-bed intensive care unit.

The hospital includes more than 1000sq m of medical suites. Pathology and radiology services will also be available.

Health Minister Geoff Wilson said the private hospital would also play an important role in attracting specialists and other clinical staff to the overall Kawana site.

 

KAWNA HOSPITAL PROJECT

The $150 million Ramsay Health owned private hospital will open with 200 beds in 2013 with 700 staff and 250 construction jobs.

The co-located public hospital will open with 450 beds, growing to 738 by 2021 with 3500 staff and 11,000 construction-related jobs.

The private hospital colours will be blue, silver and white.

It has a 4 star green star target thereby ensuring a low carbon footprint.

The building entries are arranged along a shaded and landscaped outdoor foyer with coffee shop and seating.

The private hospital will have single rooms with ensuites with a view to the hinterland and Lake Kawana.

Specialities, orthopaedics, urology, ear, nose and throat, general surgery, oncology, general and respiratory medicine and day chemotherapy (8 chairs).

Sunshine Coast Daily