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$9 million boost Townsville Maternity Unit

The Mater Hospital in Townsville will receive $9 million in funding under the Liberal National Government’s Community Health and Hospitals Program to relocate and re-build its Maternity and Neonatal unit.

The Hon Greg Hunt MP
Former Minister for Health and Aged Care

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The Mater Hospital in Townsville will receive $9 million in funding under the Liberal National Government’s Community Health and Hospitals Program to relocate and re-build its Maternity and Neonatal unit.

The ‘Mater Health Services North Queensland Maternity, and Level 2 Neonatal Nursery Relocation Rebuild Project’ will relocate the Maternity Unit and Level 2 Neonatal Nursey to the Main Acute Campus at Pimlico and construct a contemporary, purpose-built unit.

Minister for Health, Greg Hunt said that the Mater’s Maternity and Neonatal project is a “perfect fit” for the Community Health and Hospitals Program.

“The opportunity to create a bespoke maternity and neo-natal unit in Townsville will deliver the latest in contemporary care for women and infants to a standard not previously available,” Minister Hunt said.

“Maternity care is fundamental to good public health. A woman’s wellbeing in pregnancy and the postnatal period is the single most influential factor on the future health of the child as well as the health of the mother.”

Government funding will assist the transformation, and scope of care at the Mater.

“Now, money that would have been spent on maternity facilities can now be dedicated to other hospital services, such as palliative care.

Townsville-based Senator Ian Macdonald said that the $9 million grant will add to the Federal Government’s already unparalleled record of improving health outcomes in the region.

“The standard of health care across the North has been consistently enhanced by the Coalition Government, and this project is no exception” said Senator Macdonald.

“This funding will ensure that the Mater continues to deliver the highest standards of maternity care to patients not just in Townsville, but also in its wider catchment that includes Ingham, the Burdekin and Charters Towers.

Liberal National candidate for Herbert Mr Phillip Thompson has welcomed the announcement as a further demonstration of the Morrison Government’s commitment to restoring and developing services following the Townsville Floods.

“This crucial project means better health outcomes for Townsville, more jobs for Townsville, and more money being injected into the local economy,” said Mr Thompson.

Mr Thompson also acknowledged the breadth of local collaboration that developed the project.

“Obstetricians, Paediatricians, Anaesthetist and Intensivists, and the JCU Nursing Faculty were all consulted in building the scope of this essential project,” Mr Thompson said.

It is anticipated the new facility could be completed within 18 months.

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