- Hospitals in Jandowae, Laidley and Boonah have been added to the more than $1 billion Building Rural and Remote Health Program to improve local health facilities and the quality of care in regional Queensland
- The Palaszczuk Government is prioritising these upgrades that are expected to create hundreds of construction jobs
Three regional hospitals have been selected to receive infrastructure upgrades and renovations as part of the Palaszczuk Government's $1 billion investment in healthcare.
The Building Rural and Remote Health Program is part of the Palaszczuk Government's commitment to replace aged infrastructure across rural and remote Queensland.
The upgrades and renovations to Boonah, Laidley, and Jandowae hospitals will improve the delivery of care to local communities, support staff attraction and retention, create jobs and boost the economy.
Refurbishments at Boonah will adapt existing facilities to meet modern clinical standards and expand on services relevant to the local community and surrounding areas.
The investment at Laidley Hospital is an opportunity to improve the existing health facilities to ensure they can continue to support the significant growth and development expected in the area in coming years.
The master plan proposal for Jandowae includes refurbishments to improve functional layout, along with general upgrades to support contemporary models of care.
Planning will begin immediately with construction expected to commence in mid-2024.
The three new additions of Laidley, Boonah and Jandowae hospitals join several other rural and remote health facility upgrades including Blackwater, Morven, St. George, Charleville, Camooweal, Moranbah, Cow Bay, Tara, Millmerran, Normanton, Doomadgee, Bamaga, Pormpuraaw, Laura, Boigu, Badu Island, Lockhart River, and Horn Island as part of the program that will modernise healthcare buildings and facilities in rural and remote Queensland.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman:
"Our rural health facilities do an incredible job serving their community, but some are ageing, and the time is right to update, replace and refurbish them to continue meeting the growing needs of these communities.
"The addition of Laidley, Boonah, and Jandowae hospitals to the Building Rural and Remote Health Program demonstrates the Palaszczuk Government's ongoing commitment to the health of rural and regional Queenslanders.
"These improvements will meet growing demand for services and be built to last for generations.
"They will incorporate contemporary, practical clinical spaces that utilise the latest in medical technology so that our health care workers can continue to deliver the best care possible.
"I am proud to be part of a government that is committed to rebuilding health services for all Queenslanders, no matter where they live."
