Colin Boyce (Flynn, Liberal National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Since the closure of Gladstone's Mater Hospital and the downgrading of the Gladstone Hospital from level 4 to level 3 by the former Queensland Labor government, there has been a significant decline in the availability of maternity and other medical services at the Gladstone Hospital. Due to this, Gladstone Airport has had a massive increase in aeromedical and emergency transfers. This has supported the need to develop a fit-for-purpose facility to improve operational efficiency and give patients and their families greater dignity and comfort in their time of need.

The current facility is no longer suitable to meet the needs of emergency services, and, built as a temporary facility, the current site does not provide shelter from the elements during the transfer from ambulance to aircraft. A dedicated facility would improve the process and provide a dignified, private, secure area for families, patients and medical staff. Gladstone Airport saw more than 700 aeromedical transfers last year, so there is an immediate need for this facility.

The proposed facility will cost around $5 million to build. The federal government has announced just over $1 million for this project via the Regional Airports Program, and that is not even close to what is required. I strongly support the proposed Gladstone Airport patient transfer facility and will continue to advocate for this critical project to be fully funded.