- Construction contract has now been awarded to deliver five renal dialysis chairs in Emerald as the Crisafulli Government delivers health services when Queenslanders need them after a decade of decline under Labor.
- The purpose-built renal dialysis unit at the Emerald Hospital will see a 60 per cent increase in dialysis capacity from what was originally promised.
- All five chairs are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2027, with operations to commence shortly after.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering health services when Queenslanders need them to heal Labor’s Health Crisis.
Renal dialysis services for Emerald Hospital is one step closer with the Crisafulli Government appointing a builder to deliver a five-chair renal dialysis unit.
A dialysis unit for the Emerald Hospital was a key election commitment, as the Government delivers health services when Queenslanders need them most, allowing Central Highlands residents to access the life-saving service in Emerald.
The expanded satellite renal dialysis unit will deliver a total of five chairs – two more than the previously announced three chairs. This represents a 60 per cent increase in dialysis capacity compared to the original commitment.
All five chairs are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2027, with operational commissioning to commence immediately after.
Once operational, eligible patients from Emerald, the Central Highlands and surrounding communities will be able to receive regular dialysis locally instead of travelling long distances to Rockhampton for treatment. The five-chair unit will be located on the Emerald Hospital campus, ensuring patients have access to appropriate onsite clinical support when required. The expanded service forms part of the Crisafulli Government’s fully-funded Hospital Rescue Plan, delivering three new and 10 expanded hospitals across Queensland to increase capacity and deliver health services when Queenslanders need them. Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the Crisafulli Government was delivering health services when Queenslanders need them, after Labor’s decade of decline.
“Labor left Queensland in a Health Crisis, with skyrocketing ambulance ramping, a record high elective surgery waitlist, and regional health services on the brink of collapse,” Minister Nicholls said.
“This expanded renal dialysis service is another example of how the Crisafulli Government is delivering health services when regional Queenslanders need them most.
“We made an election promise for three renal dialysis chairs for Emerald and now we’re going further, delivering five chairs and getting them operational sooner.” Member for Gregory Sean Dillon said the expanded five-chair service was a significant win for Emerald and the Central Highlands.
“These dialysis chairs are something I have been championing for because I know just how badly our community needs this service,” Mr Dillon said.
“People who require dialysis need treatment regularly, often three times per week, are travelling long distances to Rockhampton, placing an enormous burden on patients and their families.
“In addition to the investments we’ve made in a 30 per cent boost to the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme’s mileage allowance, this investment will go a long way to helping the patients in my electorate.
“Delivering dialysis here in Emerald will mean eligible local patients can spend less time on the road and more time at home, while still receiving the safe, high-quality care they need.”
