QAS Clinical Hub expansion to free up emergency resources
- Crisafulli Government delivering $8.31 million expansion of Queensland Ambulance Service Clinical Hub.
- New facility will ensure more Queenslanders receive critical advice and support when they dial Triple Zero (000).
- Works have started on new site at Emergency Services Centre at Kedron.
The Crisafulli Government has pushed the go button on a new multi-million dollar expansion of an emergency call center, to ensure Queenslanders get the help they need in a crisis.
The Queensland Ambulance Service (QAS) Clinical Hub will receive an $8.31 million upgrade, allowing greater capacity to support patients who have dialled Triple Zero (000).
The Clinical Hub is staffed by a multi-disciplinary team that operates 24/7, made up of senior paramedics, specialist doctors, registered nurses, mental health and social workers, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists.
The highly skilled clinicians monitor calls from patients and ensure frontline resources and emergency departments are saved for those who need them.
Works have already started on the new Clinical Hub at the Emergency Services Centre at Kedron, with the construction tender awarded to BADGE. The current QAS Clinical Hub will be refurbished to provide additional offices and training spaces.
Under a decade of Labor neglect, Queensland's health system was left on life support. The Crisafulli Government is working tirelessly to treat, diagnose and cure Labor's health crisis through it's Easier Access to Health Services Plan.
The Crisafulli Government is also delivering transparency to the health system, with the launch of its Open Hospitals portal, and committing to releasing monthly hospital performance data.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Tim Nicholls, says unlike Labor who oversaw the worst ramping on record, the Crisafulli Government is delivering facilities like the expanded QAS Clinical Hub to alleviate pressure off the health system.
"The Crisafulli Government is committed to delivering a world-class health system for all Queenslanders, no matter where they live," Mr Nicholls said.
"The expanded $8.31 million QAS Clinical Hub will ensure more patients can be linked into the most appropriate care for their needs, allowing frontline paramedics and ambulance vehicles to be available for emergencies, and support relieving pressure in the broader health system.
"We are proud to be investing into increased access to specialist medical advice for more Queenslanders, and to empower frontline staff to implement local health solutions."
QAS Assistant Commissioner, Statewide Planning and Coordination, Alex Thompson, says the expansion includes additional telehealth capacity and will mean more Queenslanders can be helped in their time of need.
"The QAS Clinical Hub undertakes up to 1,700 daily patient interactions across Queensland, ensuring patient safety and where appropriate, identifying alternative healthcare pathways for patients," Mr Thompson said.
"Not everyone calling Triple Zero (000) requires an ambulance response, so by expanding this service, our staff can connect more patients with the most appropriate care for their needs.
"The specialist, multi-disciplinary team within the Clinical Hub virtually engage with and assess patients, prior to the dispatch of an ambulance vehicle.
"This ensures that specialist programs such as the Mental Health or Falls Co-Responder units are able to provide the right healthcare for patients regardless of location.
"Additionally, the team monitors non-urgent patients through telehealth services until our responders arrive and can escalate our response if their condition worsens."
