LNP’s health review puts PA Hospital in jeopardy
- Queensland Labor Opposition
- Feb 25
- 2 min read
Multi-million dollar Princess Alexandra Hospital expansion could be cut under LNP review
Labor calls for David Crisafulli and LNP Government to rule out cuts as LNP looks to slash $6 billion from health system
Hospital expansion will see 249 additional beds for an area expected to grow rapidly with nearby Woolloongabba priority developments
Plans for a new $748 million, 249-bed public hospital in South Brisbane are under a cloud as the LNP Government continues its surgical cuts to Queensland’s health system.
David Crisafulli has put the Townsville University Hospital expansion on ice, and scrapped incentives to attract frontline health workers to much-needed areas of the state, forcing Labor to raise concerns the build in Brisbane’s south could be next.
Late last year, the Crisafulli LNP Government ordered a review into Labor’s multi-billion dollar health big build, which included a major expansion to the PA Hospital alongside new builds and expansions right throughout the Sunshine State.
David Crisafulli then cancelled plans for the Townsville University Hospital’s expansion and under the guise of “independent scrutiny” is now looking to slash $6 billion from healthcare in Queensland.
Labor’s $748 million PA Hospital expansion would deliver more inpatient beds, extensions and renovations to existing buildings, new cancer and kidney disease treatment and more health services.
When standing up at the Princess Alexandra Hospital the other day, the LNP’s Health Minister Tim Nicholls refused to mention the upgrade at all.
Opposition Leader Steven Miles, who visited the site of construction with Labor’s new member for South Brisbane Dr Barbara O’Shea, called on the LNP to rule out any cuts to the PA Hospital with population in the area set to jump another 24,000 people as part of the nearby Woolloongabba Priority Development Area.
Quotes attributable to Opposition Leader Steven Miles:
“Eighty thousand more Queenslanders will call Brisbane’s south home in less than 20 years. The last thing we need is less healthcare for the area.
“The LNP have already taken the scalpel to the Townsville University Hospital expansion, health workforce attraction programs and as we revealed hours to nurse-led clinics.
“Is the PA Hospital expansion next in their $6 billion list of cuts?
“David Crisafulli said there would be no health cuts, but it’s clear you cannot take him on his words.”
Quotes attributable to Member for South Brisbane Dr Barbara O’Shea:
“As a doctor who worked at the PA, and with so many of their amazing staff, I know just how important this hospital is to South Brisbane.
“When you need emergency care, acute mental health support, liver or kidney services – no matter what, the PA hospital is there.
“With more families moving into the area, Labor sought to invest in making sure our hospital would be ready. Under the LNP that’s now all at risk with a government hellbent on taking an axe to $6 billion in healthcare funding.”
ENDS