Drafting of a new WBHHS strategic plan is underway following a failure to deliver on promises in the previous plan.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett has slammed the State Government over their 2018 to 2022 strategic plan titled Care Comes First, Through Patients Eyes.
Mr Bennett said it’s vital the WBHHS executives learn from their failures before they wipe the slate clean.
“The 2018 to 2022 strategic plan outlined seven goals that would achieve by 2022,” he said. *
“Sadly, only two have been reached.
“The first two goals focus on improvements to community-based services to reduce pressure on hospitals as well as availability of regional services to minimise the need for patients to travel.
“You only have to look to Agnes Water and Childers to see that there is a complete lack of community-based services in the Burnett.
“The Discovery Coast has no health service infrastructure and completely relies on two private GP’s.
“Additionally, it is understood that no new sub specialists have been appointed since the demise of the proposed medical school where there was a plan to include appointments to diabetes, respiratory medicine, rheumatology and neurology.
“Goal three says they will work towards increasing the level of our care under the Clinical Services Capability Framework to Level 5, to offer sub-specialties and attract high-calibre sub-specialty clinicians.
“It is my understanding that no new sub-specialty appointments have been made as the medical program became a pathway.
“Effectively Central Queensland University developed courses that enables students to study locally and then go to UQ medical school.
“This is not a Wide Bay or Bundaberg placement; it is entry to medical school only.
“Finally, and most importantly, is the WBHHS’s failure to deliver on the seventh goal; continue to invest in our staff.
“For months whistle-blowers have been coming forward to share their concerns regarding overwork, lack of staff, lack of beds, inability to take leave and complete exhaustion.
“This failure to deliver on critical goals proves Labor is losing control of our health system.
“That’s why I’m calling on the WBHHS executives and the Health Minister to learn from their mistakes before the wipe the slate clean.
“The consultation process has concluded for the new Strategic Plan for 2022-2026 and I’m pleading with the State Labor Government to actually listen.
“I’ve heard from the people making submissions and one thing is abundantly clear; residents are simply asking the State Government to deliver on their promises and stop making excuses.”
* Source: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0038/848837/WBHHS-Strategic-Plan-2018-22.pdf (page 4)
ENDS.
04/07/22