- Patient flow improves thanks to the Miles Labor Government's $16.5 million expansion of the Robina Emergency Department (ED).
- More than 15,000 patient presentations were managed in the past five months, with 80 per cent of recorded patients were seen within their expected timeframe.
- The expansion has supported the recruitment of more than 120 full-time employees, including doctors, nurses, and pharmacists.
Gold Coast residents are being treated faster thanks to the Miles Labor Government's $16.5 million Robina Emergency Department (ED) expansion which opened in March this year.
Designed to work in tandem with the existing ED, these 20 extra spaces can care for up to 120 patients daily, reducing emergency care wait times and improving patient flow.
The ED has seen more than 15,000 patient presentations since opening, with 80 per cent of these patients seen within their expected timeframe.
It has also supported the recruitment of about 126 full-time employees, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, allied health professionals and support staff hospital wide.
Operating around the clock and providing free, walk-in care, this Gold Coast Health expansion is making sure Gold Coast residents have access to high quality healthcare close to home.
This project is part of the Miles Labor Government's record-breaking $14 billion Health Big Build, under Queensland's Big Build initiative.
Thanks to this funding, construction for the new $1.3 billion Coomera Hospital is well underway, with foundations for the future 404-bed facility being laid right now.
As stated by the Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Service and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman:
"I am so pleased that Gold Coast residents are already benefiting from the Robina Emergency Department expansion.
"This project is doing exactly what it was designed to do, and that's improve patient flow and reduce emergency care wait times.
"It's initiatives like these that will ensure the rapidly growing Gold Coast region will have access to the healthcare they need, when they need it, for generations to come.
"We know that the LNP government failed to deliver a single piece of health infrastructure when they were in government.
"Only the Miles Labor Government will deliver the staff, beds, and health services residents need."
As stated by Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon:
"This expansion is a critical investment in healthcare and means that more Gold Coasters will get the treatment they need closer to home.
"The Gold Coast is one of the fastest growing regions in the state and this expansion is helping to meet demand and is making sure our loved ones are getting the care they need, when they need it most.
"I am also incredibly excited about the new Coomera Hospital which is well underway.
"The Miles Labor Government is committed to building hospitals and expanding the services that Queenslanders need.
"All of this is at risk under the LNP. When the LNP were last in government they sacked 57 frontline health workers on the Gold Coast, and the LNP didn't commit to one single hospital bed on the Gold Coast."
As stated by Robina Emergency Department Clinical Nurse Amy Rameka:
"Since the department's expansion, wait times have decreased in many cases.
"Instead of waiting in the busy main ED, patients are now directed to our expanded area known as the Robina Ambulatory Zone (RAZ), where they receive the same high-quality care from our experienced ED team.
"This has allowed us to see patients more efficiently, ensuring they start their patient journey sooner and with the same patient care.
"We're now able to get blood tests, x-rays, ultrasounds and other necessary procedures done much faster, allowing patients to be seen and treated more quickly.
"As a result, patients are getting home and off to the wards much sooner than before, when we only had the main department to manage everyone."
As stated by Robina Emergency Department Doctor Sam Fitzpatrick:
"The feedback on the new treatment spaces has been very positive from both patients and colleagues.
"Previously, it was challenging to manage 'ambulatory' patients – those who walk in rather than arriving by ambulance.
"Now, with more available spaces, we can better meet their needs.
"The expanded area not only provides our doctors with more room and readily accessible equipment, but it also offers a more comfortable and less hectic environment for our patients compared to the typical ED setting."
As stated by Gold Coast resident and Robina Emergency Department patient Andrea Murray:
"I presented to the newly expanded Robina ED with chest pain, tingling and weakness in my arms and the staff have been wonderful.
"They are so helpful, kind and nice.
"Everything has flowed smoothly and quickly, and I didn't have to wait long at all.
"I've already had blood tests and an x-ray – it all happened very efficiently, which is great."
Operating around the clock and providing free, walk-in care, the development is part of Gold
Coast Health's commitment to enhancing health care services and ensuring the community benefits from accessible, high quality medical care, close to home.
