Ipswich Health Precinct hits key milestone with purchase of council buildings

Four Ipswich City Council buildings and other land have been purchased by West Moreton Health for 146.3 million over 5 years for Stage 1 of the Master Plan to expand Ipswich Hospital and related health services into an all-encompassing precinct to meet the needs of the fast-growing region," the Minister said.

"This includes 91 million 50-bed Acute Mental Health Unit at the Ipswich Hospital alongside a new 22 million to Ipswich Hospital.

"The additional 11 million for an Emergency Department expansion with paediatric treatment spaces and a dedicated mental health area, 1.7 million to expand capacity for renal dialysis and nephrology services. "

Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden said that the culmination of the projects underway as part of the Master Plan would mean that more people in the region would be able to receive care closer to home.

"This precinct has already begun to transform the way that healthcare is delivered for our region, and importantly, has supported hundreds of local jobs in the construction phase."

West Moreton Hospital and Health Board Chair Michael Willis thanked the Queensland Government for its support for local healthcare and said the purchase would bring to fruition a long-held plan to develop an all-encompassing Ipswich Health Precinct.

"This will meet a forecast doubling of demand for health services in line with population growth over the next 15 years," he said.

For more information on the West Moreton Health Master Plan, visit www.westmoreton.health.qld.gov.au/MasterPlan

FAST FACTS

West Moreton Health will receive 5.2 million MRI suite, which opened at Ipswich Hospital in December 2019.
25 million, 26-bed ward and refurbished space for allied health, oncology, and outpatient care at Ipswich Hospital. These new facilities will open in stages with the first of the outpatient spaces opening in March 2021 and the 26-bed ward opening in late 2021.
The 2 million to commence planning for Stage 2 of the Master Plan which includes a business case to consider use of the Ipswich City Council properties.
The Palaszczuk Government has also announced additional funding of 1.7 million renal
9.3 million obstetric theatre

West Moreton Health has a 15-year Master Plan for infrastructure and clinical services which is subject to government approval at each stage, to respond to a predicted doubling in population size by 2036