The Miles Government is continuing to boost healthcare for the Ipswich community with its record health budget released this month.
The Miles Government is continuing to invest in the health and wellbeing of the West Moreton community, allocating more than $1 billion to the West Moreton Hospital and Health Service region in its latest 2024-25 State Budget.
Part of the record budget includes the installation of a new, state-of-the art CT scanner which is already providing Ipswich patients with greater access to diagnostics and monitoring of their health conditions.
Since it's commencement in mid-April, more than 430 scans have been delivered.
The CT scanner is the third for West Moreton Health, and will support respiratory health, allied health, and other outpatient clinics at Ripley and Ipswich.
The Ripley scanner is expected to boost capacity within the region, performing around 14,000 CT scans annually, in addition to 30,000 CT scans already performed at Ipswich Hospital each year.
The installation of the new CT scanner at Ripley Satellite Hospital represents a step forward in bringing more healthcare closer to home for Ipswich residents.
The latest quarterly performance data showed a 44.9 per cent decrease in Category 5 and 18.5 per cent drop in Category 4 presentations at the Ipswich Hospital, as a result of the Ripley Satellite Hospital opening, helping to ease pressure on our busy emergency department.
That's why the Miles Government has boosted funding for the States seven new Satellite Hospitals, delivering a further $92.8 investment towards their operation – more than double the previous allocation in the 2024-25 budget.
As stated by the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman:
"It's fantastic to see the new CT scanner at Ripley Satellite Hospital is already up and running, adding additional capacity to services in the region.
"CT scanners are used to diagnose a range of diseases and identify injuries and this new scanner will provide results more quickly through delivering thousands of vital scans each year.
"The new scanner complements our funding boost for our satellite hospitals to ensure we can deliver faster treatment, reduce wait times, and provide more healthcare closer to home.
"We know that Ipswich is one of the fastest growing regions and our government is investing in the community's healthcare needs to ensure we can keep up with the demand.
"This year's record-breaking state budget is delivering more beds, creating more jobs, and building more infrastructure.
"This CT scanner is just one of many projects our government is delivering in the Ipswich region, with 290 new beds coming online as part of the Ripley sub-acute facility and Ipswich Hospital expansion.
"The LNP didn't deliver a single piece of infrastructure when they were last in government, and they have never been supportive of our satellite hospital program.
"I'm so proud to have opened six new Satellite Hospitals in the last 12 months for our growing state."
As stated by Member for Ipswich Jennifer Howard:
"Our record-breaking health budget underscores our commitment to delivering great quality healthcare for Queenslanders, no matter where they live.
"I'm so proud that we're delivering the equipment, beds, and health heroes needed to care for the growing Ipswich community.
As stated by Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum:
"The LNP failed to deliver a single piece of health infrastructure when they were in government and simply cannot be trusted with investment in our healthcare system, or the coal royalties that pay for it.
"The Miles Labor Government is delivering what matters-from the new hospitals and upgrades we need-to equipment like CT scanners that ensure residents around Ipswich can access the care they need, when they need it."
As stated by Member for Jordan Charis Mullen:
"It's fantastic to hear almost 450 people have received the scans they need, close to home, without having to travel longer distances.
"Our investments are taking pressure off our stretched emergency departments, meaning more people are receiving care, in the right setting."
As stated by the West Moreton Health Service Board Chair Sue Scheinpflug:
"We're thrilled to witness the new CT scanner in action at Ripley Satellite Hospital.
"Not only does the scanner provide a much-needed health service, it offers up more opportunities for graduates to train in medical imaging and grow our workforce in that area.
"This equipment is a testament to the commitment of our healthcare professionals to adapt and innovate to meet the evolving needs of the community.
"It's great to be part of a health service that continues to deliver for the community."
