CALLS GROW FOR NEW
Regional Hospital Calls for a new regional hospital in the Lockyer Valley have intensified following media scrutiny about ‘bed block’ and locals being shut out of the Gatton and Laidley hospitals.
Mayor Milligan said anything less than a new regional hospital would be a band-aid fix. “While we welcome the recent investments in the region’s existing hospitals, including a new CT scanner, ultrasound service and upgraded X-ray service, these uplifts are equivalent to putting a band-aid on a gaping wound – it is simply not good enough.
Mayor Tanya Milligan said Council has been lobbying the State Government to plan for a larger regional hospital for more than a decade. “Council is acutely aware that there is a desperate need for a purpose-built regional hospital - and it is extremely frustrating and disappointing that we’re unable to get any traction,” she said.
“Our region has a combined total of 41 hospital beds and with our population set to grow to 57,000 by 2041, this is glaringly unsustainable.” The Lockyer Valley is currently serviced by two small hospitals – one in Gatton and one in Laidley. Both hospitals are classified as level 2 clinical services and provide limited specialist services. A lack of maternity services means women must travel outside the region to give birth.
“Our local health system is already buckling under the pressure of meeting current demand, and our fastgrowing population needs action now on planning for critical health infrastructure to support it into the future. “The staff at our local hospitals are doing a great job, but they‘re doing so with inadequate resources for a population of our size.”
According to an ABC report, State Government data suggests a third of the Lockyer Valley’s 41
4