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22-11-2015, 06:43 PM
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queen...1448188847
Row over plans for old Royal Children’s Hospital site at Herston
The Old Royal Childrens Hospital Pic Jamie Hanson
[b]A ROW is brewing between senior medics and the Palaszczuk Government over the redevelopment of Brisbane’s Herston quarter, site of the old Royal Children’s Hospital.[/b]
Doctors at the adjoining Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital have written to Health Minister Cameron Dick pleading with him to retain the five-hectare site for vital public health services, rather than hand it over to commercial interests.
The Government has short-listed two private groups to redevelop the site – Frasers Property with Australian Unity, and Lend Lease with Trinity Health.
But the RBWH’s Medical Staff Association – whose members include internationally recognised leaders in their fields – wants the site retained for public health.
They believe privatising the precinct would be a wasted opportunity to use the property for the benefit of Queenslanders.
In a letter to the Minister earlier this month, obtained by The Sunday Mail, the association has called for a publicly owned 132-bed rehabilitation service and elective surgery centre to be developed on the site to help address the state’s growing ageing population.
“It is inconceivable to us to think a public health presence would not be the core focus of this site,” wrote the association’s chair, Dr Liz Kenny, a respected radiation oncologist.
“Our clinicians have a duty to our patients and our community to influence and guide any matters relating to redevelopment on our campus.
[Image: 239891-dee30c54-8f11-11e5-977a-bf491e75a6d3.jpg]
Aerial pic of old children's hospital at Bowen Hills
“With the challenges that we face in healthcare it is essential that we embrace care and service models that improve our efficiency whilst at the same time support formal training and research.
“Not only is this the best clinical model, it is exceptionally financially responsible.”
Dr Kenny said the model proposed by RBWH medical specialists would increase Queenslanders’ access to endoscopies – diagnostic procedures of the digestive tract, seen as a priority in healthcare.
“We are mindful that the proposed Herston Quarter Redevelopment is likely to be the only opportunity for expanded public health services on our precinct for the foreseeable future,” she said.
Health workers attended a forum last Wednesday with Treasury officials who cited commercial in-confidence when asked about plans by the two private groups competing to redevelop the site.
The groups are due to submit proposals by March 2106 with an announcement expected by midyear.
RBWH Medical Staff Association has requested a meeting with Mr Dick
A spokesman for Mr Dick said: “It’s always been the Government’s intention that a substantial proportion of the project remain in public hands.”
Row over plans for old Royal Children’s Hospital site at Herston
- JANELLE MILES
- THE COURIER-MAIL
- NOVEMBER 22, 2015 12:00AM
The Old Royal Childrens Hospital Pic Jamie Hanson
[b]A ROW is brewing between senior medics and the Palaszczuk Government over the redevelopment of Brisbane’s Herston quarter, site of the old Royal Children’s Hospital.[/b]
Doctors at the adjoining Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital have written to Health Minister Cameron Dick pleading with him to retain the five-hectare site for vital public health services, rather than hand it over to commercial interests.
The Government has short-listed two private groups to redevelop the site – Frasers Property with Australian Unity, and Lend Lease with Trinity Health.
But the RBWH’s Medical Staff Association – whose members include internationally recognised leaders in their fields – wants the site retained for public health.
They believe privatising the precinct would be a wasted opportunity to use the property for the benefit of Queenslanders.
In a letter to the Minister earlier this month, obtained by The Sunday Mail, the association has called for a publicly owned 132-bed rehabilitation service and elective surgery centre to be developed on the site to help address the state’s growing ageing population.
“It is inconceivable to us to think a public health presence would not be the core focus of this site,” wrote the association’s chair, Dr Liz Kenny, a respected radiation oncologist.
“Our clinicians have a duty to our patients and our community to influence and guide any matters relating to redevelopment on our campus.
[Image: 239891-dee30c54-8f11-11e5-977a-bf491e75a6d3.jpg]
Aerial pic of old children's hospital at Bowen Hills
“With the challenges that we face in healthcare it is essential that we embrace care and service models that improve our efficiency whilst at the same time support formal training and research.
“Not only is this the best clinical model, it is exceptionally financially responsible.”
Dr Kenny said the model proposed by RBWH medical specialists would increase Queenslanders’ access to endoscopies – diagnostic procedures of the digestive tract, seen as a priority in healthcare.
“We are mindful that the proposed Herston Quarter Redevelopment is likely to be the only opportunity for expanded public health services on our precinct for the foreseeable future,” she said.
Health workers attended a forum last Wednesday with Treasury officials who cited commercial in-confidence when asked about plans by the two private groups competing to redevelop the site.
The groups are due to submit proposals by March 2106 with an announcement expected by midyear.
RBWH Medical Staff Association has requested a meeting with Mr Dick
A spokesman for Mr Dick said: “It’s always been the Government’s intention that a substantial proportion of the project remain in public hands.”