Monday, July 20, 2020
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington today announced a masterplan for a state-of-the-art hospital and health precinct for the northern Gold Coast would be developed as part of her plan to Get Queensland Working Again.
Ms Frecklington said the LNP’s Northern Gold Coast Hospital and Health Precinct masterplan would ensure the rapidly increasing population in the region was matched by a significant investment in healthcare.
“Developing a masterplan is the first important step for a new state-of-the art hospital on the northern Gold Coast,” Ms Frecklington said.
“This significant investment is about planning for growth and delivering world-class healthcare services for a growing community.
“The new hospital and health precinct will ease pressure on both the Gold Coast University Hospital and Logan Hospital, slashing surgery wait times and providing better healthcare for the community.
“Our vision is for locals to easily access medical services at the health precinct like dental, mental health, dialysis, imaging, pathology, chemotherapy and pharmacy.
“The masterplan will also guide the provision of additional hospital beds for the community, slash elective surgery wait times on the Gold Coast and establish additional step–up and step–down mental health care.
“Only the LNP will be able to turn this project into a reality because only the LNP can build a stronger Queensland economy.”
Ms Frecklington said the $4 million masterplan to get the hospital shovel-ready was part of the LNP’s plan to stimulate the economy and create a decade of secure jobs to drag Queensland out of the recession.
“This long-term health vision will create local jobs during construction and secure, long term jobs when the health precinct is up and running,” Ms Frecklington said.
“The hospital will also boost the Gold Coast economy by partnering with local businesses to provide all the goods and services a busy hospital needs.
“Whether you’re a nurse or a landscaper or plumber, the LNP’s plan for a new hospital on the northern Gold Coast is a fantastic opportunity.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government can’t deliver major projects like this health precinct on the Gold Coast because they have no economic plan.
“Our vision is to make Queensland Australia’s economic powerhouse again; the best place to live, get a job and raise a family.”
The masterplan process will identify the ideal location of the hospital and involve an extensive community consultation process. The State Government already owns land at Coomera, which will be considered as a potential location.
The LNP will fast-track the delivery of the master plan in its first Budget to be handed down within 100 days of forming government.
LNP Shadow Minister for Health Ros Bates said the Palaszczuk Labor Government had neglected the healthcare needs of the region for the last five years.
“Nurses, doctors and paramedics at the Gold Coast University Hospital and Logan Hospital are stretched to breaking point,” Ms Bates said.
“Hospitals are bursting at the seams and ambulance ramping is skyrocketing because the Palaszczuk Labor Government has failed to plan.
“The LNP’s masterplan for a major hospital and health precinct between the Gold Coast University Hospital and Logan Hospital will relieve an enormous amount of pressure on staff and improve patient care.
“A new hospital would deliver huge benefits to the northern Gold Coast but also deliver better outcomes for patients on the southern Gold Coast and Logan.
“The Gold Coast deserves a world-class health system and that’s what an LNP Government will deliver.”
LNP MP for Coomera Michael Crandon said the hospital and health precinct would be a game-changer for the region.
“The LNP wants a world-class health system and a strong local economy,” Mr Crandon said.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government has spent the last five years ignoring the idea of a hospital in this region.
“Instead of playing catch-up, an LNP Government will actually plan for the future and deliver a hospital and other infrastructure like a Police Citizens Youth Club and the roads and bridges our growing population needs.
“Locals should be able to access the full spectrum of health services here on the northern Gold Coast.
“A new hospital is one of the missing pieces this region really needs to set itself up for a strong future.”
