Central Queensland doctors, nurses, paramedics and health professionals are expected to receive up to $96 million in extra funding to ramp up their COVID-19 preparations thanks to the Palaszczuk Government.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Steven Miles today met with staff at Rockhampton hospital with Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke, and Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga to thank staff for their dedication to protecting their community so far.
Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said COVID-19 has impacted communities across our state, including here in our Rockhampton community.
“I would like to thank the staff at Rockhampton Hospital for their ongoing dedication to protecting their fellow Queenslanders,” Mr O’Rourke said.
“They have done such a wonderful job from the beginning in planning and responding to COVID-19 in the Central Queensland community.”
Member for Keppel Britney Lauga said Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service has managied eight positive COVID-19 cases, with none currently being treated as an in-patient.
“At this stage, all patients are being managed outside the hospital setting, however there are plans in place to use near by private hospitals, should we need extra capacity,” Ms Lauga said.
“Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service is ready to escalate its response depending on the level of demand by working closing with private hospitals Mater Hospital in Rockhampton and Gladstone, and Hillcrest in Rockhampton.”
Minister Miles said one of the main purposes of our visits is to meet with key clinicians and executives and determine what more can be done to contain COVID-19.
“Every one of our Hospital and Health Services has a comprehensive plan in place but pandemics by their very nature are unpredictable and apt to change rapidly so it’s critical they have our full support.”
Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Steve Williamson echoed the Minister’s praise of staff, saying he was extremely proud of the planning and response to this pandemic across Central Queensland.
“Current staff are being upskilled and trained, and planning is under way to recruit more staff to meet increases in demand,” he said.
To date 943 cases of the novel coronavirus have been confirmed in Queensland, an increase of nine cases in the past day. Five people have died from the disease.
Queensland Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young said no region was immune to the novel coronavirus.
“While the majority of cases are in southeast Queensland, numbers are unfortunately climbing in regional areas of the state,” she said.
“This is a pandemic, which means no matter where people live, they are at risk of COVID-19. The best way to avoid infection is to follow our advice and comply with rules in place regarding quarantine and isolation, social distancing, shutdown protocols, personal hygiene and non-essential travel.
“Heeding our advice will save lives; if not your own, then someone else’s.”
