14
Oct 2024
New Private Hospital Planned for Cairns
Published in News on October 14, 2024
The recent decision to establish a new private hospital in Cairns has been hailed as a “landmark decision” by the locally owned Integrated Medical Services (IMS) Group, which won the competitive tender for this significant project. According to CEO Dr. Stefan Antoniou, this new hospital is set to complement the existing healthcare services at James Cook University’s Dugurrdja medical site, enhancing the overall medical landscape of the region.
Dr. Antoniou emphasized the importance of this development, stating that it will address critical healthcare infrastructure issues currently faced by the community. The new hospital aims to facilitate collaboration among various stakeholders, including clinicians, researchers, educators, and students. This collaboration is vital in fostering an environment where innovation and excellence in healthcare can thrive. With the integration of academic and practical health services, the hospital is expected to play a pivotal role in improving healthcare outcomes for the local population. For those seeking convenient lodging during their hospital visits, various accommodation guides near Cairns can assist in finding suitable options.
Professor Simon Biggs, the Vice Chancellor of James Cook University (JCU), expressed his enthusiasm for the IMS proposal, highlighting its quality and depth during a “highly competitive tender process.” He noted that the university sought a proponent who could adopt a comprehensive, forward-thinking approach to the region's future. The IMS Group’s proposal stood out for its strategic vision, aiming to not only meet current healthcare needs but also to anticipate and address future challenges in the sector.
The new private hospital is part of a broader vision to create a collaborative healthcare precinct in Northern Australia. This initiative seeks to integrate various health services, research activities, and educational programs into a cohesive system that serves the community effectively. By providing a platform where medical professionals and students can work closely together, the hospital is poised to enhance the training of future healthcare providers, thereby elevating the standard of care in the region.
The establishment of this hospital comes at a time when there is an increasing demand for healthcare services in Cairns and surrounding areas. With a growing population and evolving healthcare needs, the new facility will be critical in addressing gaps in service provision and ensuring that residents have access to high-quality medical care. It will also create employment opportunities and contribute to the local economy, further underscoring the project’s significance.
Dr Antoniou's vision for the hospital is rooted in the belief that healthcare should be patient-centred and community-oriented. By focusing on collaboration, the hospital aims to create an environment where innovative ideas can flourish, ultimately leading to better health outcomes for patients. The partnership between IMS and JCU is expected to yield long-term benefits, enhancing not only healthcare delivery but also the educational experience for students training in the medical field.
In conclusion, the decision to establish a new private hospital in Cairns represents a significant advancement in the region’s healthcare infrastructure. With strong backing from Integrated Medical Services and James Cook University, this initiative is set to revolutionize the way health services are delivered and experienced in Northern Australia. The collaborative approach fostered by this new facility promises to create a dynamic healthcare environment that prioritizes innovation, education, and community well-being, making it a pivotal development for the future of healthcare in the region. For patients and their families seeking accommodation options during hospital stays in Cairns, there are various convenient and comfortable choices available nearby, ensuring that support is close at hand during their healthcare journeys.
![A Medicare bulk-billed urgent care clinic, established by the federal government to help reduce emergency department pressures, has unexpectedly closed in Bundaberg, Queensland, less than a year after opening. Located 400 kilometres north of Brisbane, this clinic was one of 75 launched across Australia since June 2023 to redirect non-life-threatening cases away from hospitals, allow emergency departments to focus on the most critical cases.
Since its opening in November last year, the Bundaberg Urgent Care Clinic (UCC) has provided care to hundreds of patients. However, it unexpectedly closed its doors on October 22, with plans to reopen a week later. A sign now indicates that it is "closed until further notice." This makes the Bundaberg UCC the only one of its kind in Australia to shut down.
Patient Sue Hackett expressed her surprise upon arriving at the clinic on Tuesday when she found it closed. “I looked on the website, and it actually showed it was open... I've come here assuming they're open,” Ms. Hackett said.
Julie Sturgess, chief executive of the region's public health network Country to Coast, told the ABC that she could not provide specific details regarding the reasons behind the abrupt closure of the Bundaberg Urgent Care Clinic. “There are ongoing negotiations with the provider of that service,” Ms. Sturgess stated.
In response to the closure, a free phone service called Connect2Care has been established, allowing callers to speak with a registered nurse for their urgent care needs. “If further care is required, such as seeing a GP, we can organize an appointment either with your regular GP or a phone or video consultation with an online GP through that service,” Ms. Sturgess explained.
Additionally, some GP practices in Bundaberg are extending their hours to accommodate extra appointments. The Bundaberg UCC was operated by the Indigenous Wellbeing Centre (IWC), a non-profit Aboriginal-controlled health organization that serves the entire community. The IWC has declined to comment on the closure.
Federal Health Minister Mark Butler informed the ABC that services at the Bundaberg Urgent Care Clinic are expected to resume shortly.
The Australian Medical Association Queensland (AMAQ) has expressed ongoing concerns regarding the viability of the federal government's urgent care clinic program. AMAQ President Nick Yim emphasized that these clinics often duplicate services already provided by GP clinics. “We believe the federal funding for these clinics would be better invested in existing general practices around the state,” Dr. Yim stated.
Sue Hackett shared that she was able to secure a same-day appointment at a GP clinic, but it would come at a cost. “I just want to go to a place where I can get sorted with my medical condition, plus I don’t have to pay,” she expressed, highlighting the challenges many face in accessing affordable healthcare.
Tim Spargo, the owner of the pharmacy located next to the Urgent Care Clinic, emphasized the critical role the clinic has played in the community. He noted that when travellers forgot their chronic condition medications or prescriptions, he could direct them to the UCC for assistance. “In the 11 months that it's been open, it has really served a vital purpose … it has taken that pressure off [emergency departments],” Mr. Spargo stated, expressing the urgent need for such services in the area.
"What's clear is that federal Labor is unable to deliver on their commitments, and the people of Bundaberg and the surrounding district, who desperately need additional services, have been let down," he said. "No matter who you talk to, whether it's the GPs themselves or others, they are just overrun with work, and what should be a godsend is now closed."
In response, Mr Butler reiterated that patients can still receive assistance through the phone line, which will "help ensure the Bundaberg community's urgent care needs continue to be met."
Meanwhile, newly elected Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has pledged an additional half a billion dollars to reduce ramping across the state to below 30 per cent over the next four years. Queensland Health data from April to June this year indicates that 44.7 per cent of patients were not transferred off ambulance stretchers within 30 minutes. This issue is particularly pressing for Bundaberg Hospital, which has been struggling with high demand and limited resources. Crisafulli also promised to recruit 34,200 additional health workers by 2032.](https://c3eeedc15c0611d84c18-6d9497f165d09befa49b878e755ba3c4.ssl.cf4.rackcdn.com/photos/blogs/article-832-1730723697.jpg "Bundaberg Urgent Care Clinic Closes Abruptly, Leaving Patients in Uncertainty")
