Fighting for first class patient care

Advocacy for first class patient care is a priority that I will fight for and support RACQ CQ Rescue to be able to deliver the high standard emergency service response that is our safety net.  

Queensland Health's decision to close the RACQ CQ Rescue helipad at the Mackay Base Hospital in two months without informing the Mackay and Whitsunday community is wrong and my greatest concern is the risk to lives. The helipad is scheduled to be closed for the duration of the hospital’s redevelopment, which could be up to three years.  

Many across our community - residents and visitors rely upon this life saving service and we have seen it utilised in circumstances where minutes count. Our own local Whitsunday Volunteer Marine Rescue has undertaken missions where we have seen tourist lives saved and locals have been able to receive transport from Proserpine hospital, because the helicopter has been able to land directly at the hospital in Mackay. 

The community has sent a strong message to the government with over 1000 people signing the Parliamentary petition in just 7 days. I tabled that petition last sitting week and I have now met with Queensland Health and expressed to the Health Minister that any alternative helipad site needs to be either on the hospital site or in close proximity. They have assured me that an independent aviation and emergency clinical report will inform the decision.  

Our regional community contributes around $5m each year to this service and deserve to have it operating at full capacity.