New operating theatres open at Mater Private Hospital, Townsville

Residents of Townsville and the greater North Queensland region will benefit from new, state of the art operating theatres at the Mater Private Hospital’s Pimlico campus.

 

The new digital operating theatres, officially opened today, are part of the Mercy Centre, the centrepiece of the $50 million redevelopment of the Pimlico facility.

 

The Australian Government contributed more than $10 million for construction and fit out of the operating theatres.

 

The Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, said the additional theatre space, equipped with the latest technology, “will reduce waiting times for elective surgery, and increase patients’ access to private specialists.”

 

“Private hospitals are an essential part of our health system, providing choice and reducing pressure on public hospitals,” Minister Hunt said.

 

Member for Herbert, Phillip Thompson, said the Mater Private Hospital redevelopment “will allow North Queensland residents to receive the highest standard of care, close to their homes and families.”

 

“We are committed to delivering the Herbert community world-class health care when they need it most,” Mr Thompson said.

 

“This is a terrific day for Townsville and North Queensland. The new digital operating theatres will cut surgery wait times for patients all across the region.”

 

The funding was drawn from the Health and Hospitals Fund Regional Priority Initiative, which is improving health outcomes for people living in rural, regional and remote areas by improving hospitals, equipment and other health infrastructure.

 

The Government is determined to ensure the millions of Australians who live outside major urban centres have access to high quality health services and health outcomes.

 

Through our $550 million Stronger Rural Health Strategy, we are building a sustainable, high quality health workforce that is distributed across the country according to community need, particularly in rural and remote areas.