The former Wynnum Hospital site is set to be transformed into a new Indigenous aged care facility after the site was handed over to a local community group yesterday.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Yvette D’Ath handed over the site to the Winnam Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Corporation (Winnam), fulfilling a 2020 election commitment.
“I know the closure of Wynnum Hospital by the former LNP government was a big loss for Baysiders, which is why the Palaszczuk Government promised to ensure the site continued to benefit the community,” Minister D’Ath said.
“Let’s not forget, the current Opposition Leader, Opposition Deputy Leader and Opposition Health Spokesperson were all members of Campbell Newman’s cabinet when they decided to shut Wynnum Hospital down.
“The Palaszczuk Government is committed to giving Baysiders access to the healthcare they need, which is why we opened the 24-hour Wynnum-Manly Community Health Centre.
“We’re now proud to handover the site to Winnam so it can become a new integrated indigenous health and aged care hub to benefit the community for decades to come.”
After the Wynnum Hospital was shut down by the previous LNP government, the Queensland Government opened the 24-hour Wynnum-Manly Community Health Centre to address the healthcare needs of Baysiders.
Winnam says it will now demolish the old hospital site and build a new residential aged care facility with more than 30 beds, including palliative care beds.
The Commonwealth Government will fund the redevelopment, with a timeline for construction and details of the new facility to be finalised later this year.
“The handover of the site has been a number of years in the making and it’s great to see it finally come to fruition,” said Winnam Chair, Aunty Becky.
“The planned redevelopment of the site into a wellbeing precinct hub will be a huge asset to the community.”
Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells said Winnam was an example of how the Federal Government was investing in reforms to help First Nations people receive equitable access to aged care services.
“The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommended the aged care system improve their specific provisions for the diverse needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people – and we are doing just that,” she said.
“This development is one of four First Nations aged care services across Australia receiving a collective $115 million in funding through the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program (ACCAP) to construct new culturally safe, purpose-built facilities.”
