Bundaberg residents have packed Brothers Sports Club for the biggest Queensland Health Crisis Town Hall to date.
More than 110 people attended the event, hosted by the State LNP Opposition, to share their experiences within the under-siege Queensland Health system.
Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli, who has hosted nearly 20 Health Crisis Town Halls across the state, said the big turn-out sent a very strong message to the State Government.
“People just want to see the health crisis fixed and they’re growing tired of the excuses,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“People who pay their taxes just want to know that they can rely on the health system when they need it and right now that’s not happening in Queensland.
“Queenslanders are concerned about the current state of the health system and today’s turnout is further proof of that.
“The stories we heard today were shocking and are further proof the Queensland Health Crisis is affecting real Queenslanders every day.
“Bundaberg patients are ramped longer than before, surgeries are repeatedly cancelled and waitlists are getting longer.
“The State Government betrayed this community by not delivering a promised level five hospital.
“The LNP has put forward solutions including real-time data monitoring for patients and GP’s, empowering local doctors and nurses to make more decisions, improving triaging and investing in more beds.”
Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said doctors, nurses, paramedics and allied healthcare workers are exhausted and deserve more respect and support from Labor.
“As a nurse and former hospital administrator, I know how stressful it can get for the staff who are doing everything they can to keep our hospitals running,’ Ms Bates said.
“The embattled Health Minister doesn’t have a plan to fix it.
“What has this State Government been doing for the last seven years to improve our hospitals?
“It was also really disappointing that the State Government denied us entry to the Bundaberg Hospital after we made a written request for an inspection.
“It raises the question, what’s happening inside the hospital that the State Government doesn’t want us to see?”
Burnett MP Stephen Bennett said he won’t stop fighting for better health care.
“All Queenslanders deserve a world class hospital system, no matter where they live,” he said.
“Labor is losing control of the health system and it’s affecting the people of our region.
“The LNP won’t stop fighting for better health care for all Queenslanders.”
