Hundreds of residents have toured the new $65.4 million Eight Mile Plains Satellite Hospital at a community open day held over the weekend.
Health Minister Shannon Fentiman joined the festivities at the open day to showcase the new facility, meeting with local residents as well as the soon-to-be healthcare staff.
The new hospital is due to open its doors to the public on Monday May 27th.
“More than 25,000 additional residents will call Brisbane’s southern suburbs home in the next decade,” said Minister Fentiman.
“The Eight Mile Plains Satellite Hospital will be a gamechanger for this growing community, providing healthcare closer to home for residents.”
The Satellite Hospital’s First Nations co-name was also officially unveiled as Maroo-goodji-ba, symbolising tranquillity and care, while also honouring the cultural significance of ‘place o red soil, a term representing Eight Mile Plains, the Minister said.
The Minor Injury and Illness Clinic will open from 8am to 10pm daily to treat simple fractures, sprains and strains, fevers and coughs, head injuries without loss of consciousness, and a range of other non-life-threatening conditions. It also includes onsite medical imaging.
Premier, Steven Miles says the new facility will support nearby emergency departments by diagnosing and treating non-life-threatening conditions.
“Satellite hospitals work. They have already proven successful, providing quick, effective and cost-free treatment to thousands of Queenslanders,” the Premier said.
“This new Eight Mile Plains Satellite Hospital will support our local emergency departments, including the busy QEII and Logan hospitals.
“But we’re not stopping there. As part of the Queensland Government’s $14 billion Big Build, we’re also investing in major expansions at our southside hospitals to be delivered over the next five years.”
The new hospital will also offer a range of appointment-based specialist and outpatient services including a Cancer Day Therapy Unit and Kidney Dialysis Unit.
More than 100 health care workers have been recruited to staff the new Satellite Hospital including doctors, nurses, administration officers, allied health practitioners and operational staff.
Metro South Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive, Noelle Cridland said the organisation had a proud history of providing accessible, culturally safe and equitable healthcare services.
“We have a strong focus and commitment to improving our health service by listening to First Nations voices, employee more First Nations people, and supporting a better integrated and coordinated system for First Nations peoples,” she said.
