The Chronicle

First stage of hospital

- TOBI LOFTUS tobi.loftus@thechronic­le.com.au

A LIBERAL National Party Government would build what the party says is the first stage of the new Toowoomba Hospital at the Baillie Henderson Campus.

The LNP’s health spokeswoma­n Ros Bates was in Toowoomba yesterday to announce the $45 million day surgery hospital alongside Toowoomba North MP Trevor Watts.

Mr Watts said the new day surgery hospital would provide orthopaedi­c, dental and cataract surgery, as well as breast cancer screening services.

“The day surgery will be a game changer for the people here at the hospital,” he said.

“Toowoomba patients are waiting too long for operations and travelling too far to get them.

“The LNP’s plan will get patients the surgery they need when they need it and in their local community.”

Mr Watts said constructi­on would begin on the pro

ject next year if the LNP are elected into government after October 31.

Ms Bates said once the business case process for the entire new Toowoomba Hospital at Baillie Henderson

was concluded, an LNP government “would get it happening as soon as possible”.

“This is the first shovel ready part,” she said.

“This (day hospital) will be able to provide surgeries such

as gastroscop­ies, colonoscop­ies, breast biopsies, removal of wisdom teeth, and a myriad of other procedures that patients have been languishin­g on waiting lists for.”

“It means you can have your procedure and get home that night and recover with your loved ones.”

The LNP has also pledged $14.3m in the Darling Downs to work with private hospitals to clear surgery waiting lists.

 ?? Picture: Tobi Loftus ?? ELECTION COMMITMENT: Ros Bates and Trevor Watts outside the Toowoomba Hospital.
Picture: Tobi Loftus ELECTION COMMITMENT: Ros Bates and Trevor Watts outside the Toowoomba Hospital.

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