Federal Member for Flynn, Colin Boyce, today announced an elected Liberal National Government will deliver $5 million to fully fund the Gladstone Airport to build a new patient transfer facility.
The Coalition will commit this funding to the airport to make up for the shortfall left by Labor.
The proposed new Gladstone Airport Patient Transfer Facility would include:
- Purpose built area to stabilise and monitor patient/s
- Undercover ambulance bays
- Comfortable lounge and rest area
- Kitchen and toilet/washroom facilities
- Provisions for both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft operations.
"This commitment is necessary due to the Albanese Labor Government short-changing the project," Mr Boyce said.
"Since the closure of the Mater Hospital, as well as the downgrading of the Gladstone Hospital from a level 4 facility to a level 3 facility by the former Queensland Labor Government, there has been a significant decline in the availability of maternity and other medical services at Gladstone Hospital.
"This has led to a massive increase in aeromedical and emergency transfers, with almost two aeromedical transfers per day (700) at Gladstone Airport last year.
"There is an immediate need for a new fit-for-purpose facility to improve operational efficiency and give patients and their families greater dignity and comfort in their time of need. Built as a temporary facility, the current site does not provide shelter from the elements during the transfer from the ambulance to the aircraft.
"The Albanese Labor Government did not allocate enough funding for the project to construct the $5 million facility.
"The LNP is serious about health in Gladstone, which is why we are committing the full $5 million so that the Gladstone Airport Patient Transfer Facility can come to fruition."
The facility will primarily serve the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) but will also be made available for other aeromedical and emergency transfer operators.
