Coalition will restore dialysis to Maryborough Hospital
18th August, 2010
Federal Member for Wide Bay today announced that a Coalition Federal Government will provide up to $200,000 to fund 6 dialysis machines at Maryborough Hospital.“This commitment will restore dialysis treatment to Maryborough Hospital. It will ease the pressure on Gympie and Hervey Bay Hospitals, as people from Maryborough will no longer have to travel to other hospitals to access this care. It will also help to reduce the need for people from Hervey Bay and Gympie to travel to Brisbane for dialysis.” Mr Truss said.
“This will make a real difference to the lives of many people, not only in Maryborough, but also in Gympie and Hervey Bay.
“The local campaign to restore dialysis at Maryborough Hospital has been very strong and it is regrettable that the State Labor Government has refused to listen. Now that the commitment has been made, Queensland Health must act to have the machines operational as soon as they are available.
“The Coalition is committed to ensuring that local hospitals have the equipment they need to offer the services their communities expect. A Coalition Government will establish local hospital boards to end the deterioration and centralization of health services that we have seen under Labor.”
The Coalition’s $85 million Community Health Fund will help local hospitals and community health organisations in areas like Wide Bay to provide medical equipment and capital upgrades to local hospitals.
“This is another example of the Coalition delivering real improvements to local health services and providing local communities with a real say in how their local hospitals are run.
“This is a great initiative and comes on top of the recent announcement to boost the number of doctors, nurses and dentists in regional Australia through our Regional Medical Workforce Plan.” Mr Truss said.
The core of the Coalition’s health policy is a $3.6 billion ‘beds and boards’ investment in local hospitals. We have also offered to take over 100% of the cost of hospital funding to finally end the blame game.
The Coalition will also commit $3.1 billion for 2,800 new public hospital beds to reduce waiting times for people requiring treatment in emergency departments and elective surgery.
“The Rudd Gillard Government promised to end the health blame game but nothing has changed for regional Australians requiring quality health services in their communities.
“Unlike Labor, we’re committed to delivering more hospital beds, not more bureaucrats. Only the Coalition will return health services to our local communities and ensure regional Australians do not miss out on their fair share.” Mr Truss said.
