When my grandmother was sick and had to travel to Brisbane every few weeks for treatment, I saw firsthand how difficult it was for her.
It was then that I vowed to work to improve access to health care, closer to home.
And I’m proud to be part of the Miles Government which is investing in improved health services in Central Queensland.
Construction is about to start on the brand new $90 million, 32-bed Rockhampton Mental Health Unit and also the $28 million cardiac hybrid theatre.
Work is due to be completed on the new $10 million renal dialysis unit at the Capricorn Coast Hospital by the end of this year, meaning dialysis patients will no longer have to travel to Rockhampton multiple times a week for treatment.
I’m also pleased to report that 59 additional healthcare workers have been recruited to Central Queensland through the Miles Government’s Workforce Attraction Scheme.
This involves an incentive payment for healthcare workers to relocate to regional and rural Queensland.
I recently met two new anesthetists who have started at the Rockhampton Hospital, having relocated from New Zealand and Namibia.
Since 2015, we have delivered over 104 additional doctors, 482 nurses and 169 healthcare workers to our Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service.
The Rockhampton Medicare Urgent Care Clinic continues to see many patients with urgent, non-life-threatening needs.
This free clinic is open every day from 8am to 8pm and treats patients without the need to present to the Emergency Department.
Queensland Health has recently launched the $27 million Queensland Virtual Care Emergency Service where you can get access to free Telehealth treatment for non-life- threatening care.
The service is open online every day from 8am to 10pm and can be easily accessed by typing Queensland Virtual Care Emergency Service into your search engine.
Within two days of the service opening, more than 110 people had been treated!
Also, don’t forget that the flu vaccine is still available free for all Queensland over six months of age at all GPs and pharmacies.
Hormonal contraception and UTI antibiotics is also available over the counter at participating pharmacies, saving the need to visit a GP.
I will continue to fight for better healthcare closer to home.
