Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry has called on the Queensland Labor Government to explain why Springfield’s Mater Hospital in Brisbane is being chosen for additional funding while Rockhampton Base Hospital isn’t.
The call comes after news reports that Springfield Mater Hospital’s expansion will include 174 new public hospital beds, with an emergency department, ICU and maternity services.
Ms Landry said “Rockhampton is sadly one of the worst hospitals in the state for ambulance ramping, with the practice increasing 27 per cent in the year to February 2021.
This decision shows how Brisbane-centric this Government really is. It is an insult to the hardworking nurses, doctors, and staff of the Rockhampton Base Hospital,” Ms Landry said.
“We have heard absolutely nothing from our Local Labor members who seem to be perfectly fine with the status quo. They need to stop bowing to their Brisbane-based masters and stand up for the community they claim to represent.”
Ms Landry said “The Queensland Labor Government has a history of over promising and under delivering on heath in Central Queensland. All regions deserve good hospitals but sadly Rockhampton Base is constantly ignored.
“In the dying days of the most recent state election, the Labor Party pledged $31 million to build a new cardiac hybrid theatre and an expansion and refurbishment of the mental health ward. Here we are, over six months later, with little or no progress and patients being left in the lurch yet again.”
