New Bribie hospital services revealed

The services which will be available at Bribie Island’s new satellite hospital - which is due to open mid-next year - have been announced.

They will include a Minor Injury and Illness Centre, which State member for Pumicestone Ali King said would be open every day from 8am until late.

It will offer walk-in care for common injuries and illnesses such as broken bones, infections, strains and sprains, minor head injuries, minor eye issues, minor wounds and fevers.

Bribie Island Satellite Hospital, under construction at 65-101 First Ave, Bongaree, will also have:

• Renal dialysis chairs so people currently travelling long distances multiple times per week can get care closer to home
• Day medical chairs, for services like infusions of iron, IV medications, antibioitics and steroids and blood transfusions, to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, immune deficiencies and infections.
• A rehabilitation gym
• Oral health services
• Medical imaging and diagnostic services including ultrasound, X-ray and pathology to support the services provided
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Hub.

The satellite hospital will also include consult and treatment rooms for appointments with Queensland Health doctors, nurses and allied health professionals.

Services in those rooms will include geriatric assessment and intervention, nephrology, Rapid Access Clinics, and appointments with mental health specialists.

“Bribie Island Satellite Hospital will allow locals access to free public hospital services rather than travelling to Caboolture, Royal Brisbane or Redcliffe Hospitals,” Ali King said.

“A Bribie local who needs renal dialysis three times a week will now be able to get that care 5 to 10 minutes away, rather than making a two-hour round trip to Brisbane.

“Bribie residents face long waits for GPs and less local bulk billing, so the Minor Accident and Illness Centre will make a real difference.

“The Minor Injury and Illness Centre will be open from 8am until late every day, so if a child gets a suspected sprain or minor fracture playing sport, parents will be able to take them to our satellite hospital rather than waiting on a GP appointment days or weeks later.”

Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk said: “Our satellite hospitals will take pressure off busy Eds (emergency departments), while allowing locals to access free healthcare closer to home.

“The Satellite Hospitals Program is one part of our record $23.6 billion investment into healthcare, which is delivering more hospitals, more beds, more services and more frontline health workers.”