A Multi-purpose Health Service (MPHS) is proposed for Agnes Water with an application under consideration by the Commonwealth Department of Health.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said it comes as extremely welcome news for the Discovery Coast.
“For years the community and I have been fighting for health and hospital services with there currently no health infrastructure within 125 kilometers,” he said.
“This application from Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service to the Commonwealth Department of Health for a MPHS is a great win for the region. *
“A huge thanks must go to the community for their advocacy and support.
“This is the first step in the right direction, and it just goes to show that people power and persistence pays off.”
Mr Bennett said health care in the Agnes Water and 1770 area has been severely underfunded, underservices and understaffed for decades.
“The region currently has 2.5 full-time equivalent GPs to support a population of up to 6,000 which grows by around 5,000 during peak periods,” he said.
“For about 20 years there has been very little change to the level of service delivery.
“This Multi-purpose Health Service could quite frankly be a life changer for residents.
“Knowing that an MPHS would deliver much needed health and aged care services for the area gives me great hope.
“I look forward to more information being provided by the HHS and will continue to seek further clarity on what this MPHS will look like.
“While I call on the Commonwealth Department of Health to expedite the application process and funds needed to start early works.”
* Question on Notice and Answer from the Minister for Health: https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableoffice/questionsanswers/2022/519-2022.pdf
ENDS.
07/07/2022