Mater deal delivers boost to healthcare services in Brisbane's west

A landmark partnership between Mater and the State Government will expand healthcare services for people living in Springfield and other parts of Brisbane's burgeoning Western Corridor.

The partnerhsip announced today (May 31) by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, Health Minister Yvette D'Ath and Mater Chief Executive Officer Dr Peter Steer, will expand capacity at Mater Private Hospital Springfield to include a new Emergency Department, an Intensive Care Unit and maternity services to help meet demand for healthcare services across the Greater Ipswich region.

Dr Steer said the collaboration with Queensland Health would enable the delivery of Stage 2 of the Mater Private Hospital Springfield Master Plan, to be constructed on part of Mater's 8.7h site at Springfield Central.

"Mater Private Hospital Springfield opened in 2015 to deliver local healthcare services to the fast-growing community living along the Western Corridor, including a cancer care centre, a day surgery unit and four fully integrated operating theatres," he said.

"The 95-bed hospital was built with capacity for expansion to ensure Mater is able to continue to meet the growing needs of the surrounding community.

"Stage 2 of the Master Plan would increase the total number of beds at Mater's Springfield hospital to 234 with 174 public patient beds and the remainder for private patients.

"The expanded Mater hospital will run under an integrated operating model, delivering healthcare services to both public and private patients within the single facility.

"The project will also provide capacity for a further 104 beds in the future, enabling us to meet the needs of this growing community.

"This is a major milestone for Mater and a significant investment in healthcare services for the Western Corridor.  It will meet the healthcare needs of this generation as well as the next."

Dr Steer said the expansion of Mater health services in Springfield would help reduce demand on Queensland Health hospitals in Brisbane, Logan and Ispwich as well as Mater hospitals in South Brisbane.

"Mater has a long history of successfully partnering with the State Government to provide public hospital services for Queenslanders and I'm delighted that this new partnership enables us to continue delivering high quality, compassionate care to those in need," he said.

Stage 2 of the Mater Private Hospital Springfield Master Plan is expected to create more than 1100 permanent jobs, as well as more than 700 job opportunities during construction, providing a major boost to the region's post-COVID economy.

Mater will call for tenders for construction of Stage 2 as soon as possible.

"The earthworks are complete and once the detailed design is finalised, this project will be shovel-ready," Dr Steer said.

"It will take health services to a new level in Springfield and will be a landmark in the development of this thriving community."

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