HOSPITAL PROBLEMS STARTED IN 1995

QUEENSLAND Health has been using scapegoats since Peter Beattie was premier and Wendy Edmond was health minister in 2003.

Redevelopment of the Cairns Base Hospital began in 1995 – Brisbane made a short-sighted decision to redevelop the existing hospital instead of rebuilding a totally new hospital allowing for expansion for future demands, which we are now seeing.

That redevelopment blew out in costs over seven years of planning and disruption to all employees and patients.

During redevelopment, the thoracic ward closed with promises of a new rehabilitation centre which turned out to be a glorified nursing home ward. Thoracic was for patients with TB and chronic chest problems.

After a short residency post redevelopment, one whole new floor was closed down. Twentytwo acute medical beds were lost.

Far Northern hospitals have had ongoing bed shortages ever since the governing became Brisbane centralised.

Beverley Prescott, Tolga