The Queensland Children’s Hospital is set for a huge expansion with the Palaszczuk Government today announcing $20 million to increase beds at the hospital.
Through the expansion, the QCH will gain an extra 30 beds, including boosting the specialist oncology service capacity by 25%.
Minister for Health and Minister for Ambulance Services Steven Miles said the QCH had been so successful in speciality paediatric care and services that it needed to be expanded.
“I have spent a lot of time at the QCH, have spoken to many patients and families and I have seen the above-average occupancy rates – I want to deliver a new inpatient ward in 2020,” he said.
“This expansion will make the Queensland Children’s Hospital the largest specialist paediatric hospital in the country.
“It will make QCH even more appealing for specialist medical staff from around the world to come here and work in Brisbane.
Mr Miles said detailed design and service planning for the new ward and dedicated oncology beds was now underway with patients and their families at the centre of the planning process.
“As well as delivering the six new oncology beds in 2020, on its completion the expansion will have an immediate and positive impact for broader paediatric specialty services such as medical and surgical patients,” Mr Miles said.
“It will initially provide greater flexibility around how beds are used – especially during busy periods such as Winter – to reduce the impacts currently being experienced when service demand is high.
Deputy Premier and Member for South Brisbane Jackie Trad said one of the reason’s the Queensland Children’s Hospital oncology service was so well regarded was the excellent staff.
“This expansion is for the children of Queensland but I also want to acknowledge that we have some of the best staff in the country and we are committed to making sure they have the very best facilities to continue their great work.
“Everyday doctors and nurses at the QCH deliver world-class, life-saving care to children and young people in need of specialist care.
“I have seen personally their commitment to ongoing innovation and improvements to services, planned and delivered in partnership with the families they serve,” Ms Trad said.
Following the detailed design and service planning process in consultation with clinicians, patients and families, a tender will be released in the second half of 2019 with construction to commence by early 2020.
