A parliamentary committee scrutinising the health budget on Friday,as part ofseven days of hearings spanning ministerial portfolios,was told the increase was largely due to pressures on the construction sector.
“There have been some increases in costs,which we are seeing due to supply chains across the globe right now,” Health Minister Yvette D’ath said.
“But we are committed to delivering on these seven wonderful satellite hospitals:Ripley,Tugun,Eight Mile Plains,Redlands,Kallangur,Bribie Island and Caboolture.”
Pitched amid the 2020 state election campaign,several in marginal seats,the facilities were to take pressure of major hospitals and bring services closer to some high-growth,but under-serviced,communities.
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While not featuring overnight beds,the facilities — which exist elsewhere under different names — would offer some accident and emergency services,dental,chemotherapy,and dialysis or other specialities.
Opposition health spokesperson Ros Bates criticised the new detail about the program,pointing to Australian Medical Association of Queensland comments that the facilities were “only hospital by name”.