OODGEROO MP Mark Robinson says the state government is losing control at Redland Hospital and a $200 million injection is needed to help it catch up amid a 'dire state of affairs' across Metro South Health.
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It comes despite the government committing to spend big on health in this year's budget and following an announcement of a $100 million boost for the state's public hospitals through the Care4Qld Strategy.
The public system has been under pressure in the last year, with the state's population booming and more than 1.9 million people presenting to emergency departments in the 10 months to April 30.
Mr Robinson told Parliament earlier this month that locals were feeling increasingly disillusioned and trust was being lost at a time when health should be the government's top priority.
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He said surgery patients were waiting in limbo at Redland Hospital because ICU beds were unavailable.
"At present, over 150 patients every year are taking up vital hospital beds while awaiting placements," he said.
"The government needs to inject urgent funding to remove the bed blockage.
"Instead of blaming COVID-19, the federal LNP and even patients, the government should be getting on with the job of expanding the Redland Residential Aged Care facility to service our growing population."
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said the government had made significant investments to support the state's under pressure emergency departments.
That included a budget commitment of $16.26 million for phase one of a Redland Hospital expansion.
"In addition to local hospital and health service investment, the Care4Qld Strategy has been developed to respond to the challenges of increased emergency department demand," Ms D'Ath said.
"This phased investment strategy will enhance access to emergent unplanned care where and when Queenslanders need it most ... "
Mr Robinson said hard-working hospital staff were being let down by a broken system, while ramping at Redlands was regularly among the worst in the state.
"At least $200 million is needed for the Redland Hospital to catch up," he said.
"Funding announced in the recent state budget for the phase one expansion falls a long way short of addressing needs."
Ms D'Ath said the Care4Qld Strategy was designed to open more beds and develop pathways that would see patients discharged sooner to improve flow.
But Mr Robinson said it was hard to establish how much the government was spending on Redlands when figures were released on a regional basis.
"We need to ensure that Redland Hospital is getting its fair share of funding," he said.
"With high demand being experienced across the Metro South region, which includes Redland Hospital, much more funding will be required to improve the dire state of affairs we have today."
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