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Queensland Premier David Crisafulli was in Mackay on Tuesday to unveil the long-awaited Mackay Base Hospital master plan, promising major upgrades to services, capacity and parking set to be delivered by 2030. Photo credit: Hannah McNamara
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli was in Mackay on Tuesday 11th August to unveil a long-awaited master plan for the Mackay Base Hospital, describing the future facility as “world-class”.
The announcement comes after years of community concern around hospital capacity, parking and pressure on services, with local politicians describing the plan as a significant step forward for the growing region.
For many Mackay residents, the announcement was long-awaited, with locals now looking to see the plans translate into action.
After years of community concern surrounding capacity, car parking and pressure on services, a long-awaited master plan for Mackay Base Hospital has been unveiled.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli was in Mackay on Tuesday 11th August, visiting the hospital to announce the release of the plan, which outlines the next stage of a major expansion, with Mr Crisafulli describing the planned facility as “world-class”.
Stage 1 of the expansion is set to deliver at least 128 new overnight beds, expanded emergency, maternity, birthing, surgical, endoscopy, neonatal and paediatric services, a new Mackay Birth Centre, more than 1,000 new car parks and a rooftop helipad.
Main construction works are scheduled to commence in 2027, with all Stage 1 packages now expected to be delivered by 2030.
Mr Crisafulli said the master plan provided a long-term blueprint for the hospital as the region continues to grow. He also said the government had increased the Queensland Health workforce in the Mackay region by 270 people since coming to government.
“Today is about a blueprint for the future. It’s about saying to the people in Mackay that you do deserve a world-class facility, staffed by world-class clinicians,” he said.
Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton said the master plan was the next step in addressing the region’s hospital needs.
“We know the car parking has been an issue. Many, many people come to my office and speak to me about those issues. We’re going to fix that,” he said.
“We’ve now got the plan, we’re going to move forward.”
Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm said the expanded services would benefit families across the Greater Whitsunday region, including those travelling to Mackay for healthcare.
“If you’re a young mum or you’re contemplating starting a family, you deserve a world-class maternity service,” Ms Camm said.
She also highlighted the recommissioning of the hospital’s on-site helipad, which is intended to restore direct helicopter transfers for critically ill and injured patients.
“We know, in an emergency, that those seconds count,” she said.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the master plan followed a review of the previous expansion program and consultation with the hospital and health service board, clinicians and staff.
“Our recommendation is to replan. And so we have replanned, and we have taken the time to replan, in consultation with the hospital and health service board, and with the clinicians and with the staff here at the hospital,” Mr Nicholls said.
While the announcement was taking place, a local woman who had been a patient at the hospital also shared her experience after approaching the visiting politicians. After spending the previous 10 days in and out of the hospital, she said she had observed the pressure on staff.
“The staff are so hammered and so flat out. They are giving care from the heart, but you can see the anguish in their face when they just don’t have time to do something,” she said.
“You’ve got to start asking people on the ground what they need.”
With the master plan now released, the focus shifts to its delivery, with main construction works scheduled to commence in 2027 and Stage 1 packages expected to be delivered by 2030.
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