Share in nurse boost sought

TOWNSVILLE Hospital has confirmed it has applied to the State Government to get its share of 400 new nurses as part a $ 212.3 million investment to boost numbers.

Townsville Hospital and Health Service acting chief executive Kieran Keyes said a submission to the State Government for extra nurses in Townsville had been made but he would not reveal the number.

“We hope to be in a position where we can comment in more detail once the Department of Health has considered our application,” Mr Keyes said.

Mundingburra MP Coralee O’Rourke ( pictured) said she would be putting the case to Health Minister Cameron Dick for more nurses in Townsville.

“We recently welcomed 18 registered nurse graduates at the Townsville Hospital, but we know that more nurses leads to better outcomes for patients,” Mrs O’Rourke said.