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PDF printable version of National Health Reform Delivers for Patients in Ipswich (PDF 22 KB)

Joint release

The Hon Minister Roxon MP
Minister for Health and Ageing

Shayne Neumann MP
Member for Blair

The Hon Rachel Nolan
Queensland State Member for Ipswich

1 September 2011

National health reform will deliver new sub acute services in Ipswich, providing more support for patients in the local community.

Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon and Member for Blair Shayne Neumann today inspected a new rehabilitation centre and announced a boost to Geriatric Evaluation and Management services at Ipswich Hospital.

“These new services will provide better assessment and rehabilitation care for elderly patients in Ipswich, part of a $16.52 million boost to West Moreton health services,” Minister Roxon said.

“Providing local communities like Ipswich with the resources they need for better health services, closer to home, is a key focus for national health reform.”

The $16.52 million Gillard Government investment in West Moreton over the next three years will provide for:

• 10 sub acute bed equivalent services for Geriatric Evaluation and Management at Ipswich Hospital (or an extra 3,280 occupied bed days)
• Six sub acute beds at Boonah Hospital;
• A new community based adult rehabilitation service at Ipswich; and
• An expansion of palliative care outreach services across West Moreton.

“The new rehabilitation centre that we inspected today will start operation early next year, is the first of its kind for this region,” Minister Roxon said.

“When the Geriatric Evaluation Management Service is fully operational it will be providing an additional 3,280 bed days per annum at Ipswich Hospital.

“That’s the equivalent of 10 extra beds and will make a big difference for rehabilitation services for the community.
“This is part of the expansion of over 1,300 sub acute beds and community services across Australia, including at least 265 beds and services to be delivered in Queensland.

“Today’s announcement is another example of how the Gillard and Bligh Governments are working together to provide better health care for Queenslanders, closer to home through national health reform.”

Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said that Ipswich residents would benefit from the expanded community rehabilitation and palliative care services in their homes.

“The facility will feature a kitchen and bathroom set up, helping patients simulate a home like environment as part of their therapy program.

“In addition palliative care services will be expanded by approximately 800 appointments - specifically for patients with heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

“This builds on the Government’s already strong investments in this area including the GP Super Clinic which is helping more Ipswich residents to get the care they need.” Mr Neumann said.

Queensland State Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan welcomed these extra services.

“The Bligh and Gillard Governments are working hard to deliver more services closer to home for Ipswich residents,” Ms Nolan said.

“More nurses and allied health workers working as part of the rehabilitation service will enable more Ipswich residents recovering from a major illness or operation, to get well in their own homes and regain their independence.”

Since 2007, the Commonwealth has committed $16.1 billion in new funding for Queensland’s health and hospital system through national health reform.

Other examples of national health reform projects to benefit the Ipswich area include:

— $6.7 million to increase paediatric emergency treatment spaces at Ipswich Hospital
— $1.7 million to fit out an additional operating theatre at Ipswich Hospital
— $2.5 million for the Ipswich GP Super Clinic of which the first stage is operational
— Eight General Practitioner Registrars in the Ipswich area
— Over $700,000 for the Healthy Communities project “Healthy Active Ipswich”

For more information about national health reform, visit www.yourhealth.gov.au.

For more information, contact the Minister's Office on (02) 6277 7220