Health service’s value revealed
A STUDY has revealed for the first time the economic impact of the Townsville Hospital and Health Service on the community.
The AEC Group report found the region’s state- owned health service contributes almost $ 1.9 billion to the economy and sup- ports 11,743 jobs. Health service board chair Tony Mooney said Townsville’s position as the major tertiary health provider in Northern Australia was vital to the region’s economy. The study found the service directly employed 6252 people and supported an additional 5500 jobs in the community.
A STUDY of the economic impact of the region’s stateowned health service has found it contributes almost $ 1.9 billion to the economy and supports 11,743 jobs.
The Townsville Hospital and Health Service has commissioned the report by consultants the AEC Group to underscore the importance of the service as it seeks to maximise involvement by local businesses in the enterprise.
Health service board chair Tony Mooney said Townsville’s position as the major tertiary health provider in Northern Australia was vital to the region’s economy.
“It is imperative that we continue to grow Townsville as Northern Australia’s tertiary health and research hub,” Mr Mooney said.
“This economic impact assessment shows very clearly the significant role the Townsville Hospital and Health Service plays as a major economic driver in North Queensland.”
The study found the ser- vice directly employs 6252 people whose wages of $ 679 million support an additional 5500 jobs in the community.
The service employs 5355 people in Townsville meaning for every 10 jobs in Townsville, one is a direct employee of the health service.
Mr Mooney will brief business people at a breakfast event today.
“The State Government’s Buy Queensland policy requires local suppliers to be prioritised and supported to deliver significant contracts,” Mr Mooney said.
“It is essential our local business community knows how to tap into, and leverage, the opportunities associated with us generating almost $ 2 billion into the local economy.
“My focus is to make sure that the money we are generating is translating into direct local jobs and, in turn, that money is being spent buying local goods and services.”
According to the study, the service is far more than the Townsville Hospital, operating 18 hospitals and community facilities and two residential aged care homes across Charters Towers, Ingham, Ayr and Home Hill and Palm Island. In 2016- 17, the service saw 117,574 patients in emergency departments and conducted 8792 elective surgical operations.
The service generated an estimated 10,550 visitor nights a year in Townsville as family and friends travelled to spend time with loved ones.
AEC modelling showed that $ 147.8 million was generated in regional centres outside of Townsville including jobs for 546 people and a wages bill of $ 32.2 million.
Key findings of the economic impact assessment are:
$ 1.9 billion economic output, including $ 918 million directly;
11,743 jobs, including 6252 directly;
$ 958 million in wages and salaries;
$ 1.4 billion contribution to Gross Regional Product; and
$ 21 million in capital works expenditure in 2017- 18. Capital works projects in- clude a new children’s ward at Townsville, the Palm Island Primary Care Centre, expansion of endoscopy and renal services and relocating BreastScreen to Domain Central.
The service contributes: $ 46 million to the Burdekin economy, including 332 jobs and wages of $ 25.1 million, $ 71.6 million to the Charters Towers economy, including 533 jobs and wages of $ 41.7 million and $ 36 million to the Hinchinbrook economy.