| Robertson said the day surgery centre, comprised of three new surgery theatres, is expected to perform up to 6,000 elective procedures each year. "As of yesterday, more than 820 procedures have already been performed in the centre," Robertson said. "In the October to Dec 2008 quarter, the Gold Coast Health Service District performed 5,205 operative procedures (including ECT for depression and endoscopy). This compares to 4,716 cases in the same period in 2007. The increase of more than 10 per cent is largely accounted for by the Surgery Centre. "Waiting lists for elective surgery on the Gold Coast are continuing to fall due largely to the new centre and a range of other measures implemented by the Gold Coast Health Service District. "The new centre is delivering surgical treatments including ophthalmology, plastics, neurosurgery, gynaecology, urology and general procedures under local and general anaesthetics. "The Bligh Government's record $6 billion investment into the hospital infrastructure program, Australia's largest, is history making. "The $1.5 billion Gold Coast University Hospital, the largest of the five state health projects, when completed in 2012, will have 750 beds and offer comprehensive medical services including cancer care, cardiac and trauma services. "The Robina Hospital is undergoing a $287.7 million expansion which will deliver 179 extra beds and enhanced services to Gold Coast residents," Mr Robertson said. Minister Robertson said that this was another example of the Bligh Government getting on with the job of delivering greater health outcomes for Queenslanders while keeping the state at the forefront of medical research and innovation. "The Toward Q2 strategy is a blueprint plan for delivering greater health services to high population growth areas such as the Gold Coast," he said. | |
