Lisa Pentony

It seems that Queensland Health may now be in need of it’s own lifeline. They have been forced to postpone, remove or privatise facilities that were to be implemented in the new Gold Coast University Hospital after initial plans came in $320 million over budget.

The hospital, which is due to be open in 2012 was allocated $1.23 billion dollars from the State Government. Leaked documents revealed the cost-saving measures that are intended to be executed in the 750 bed tertiary hospital located in Parklands.

According to the documents, the proposed cuts would save $110 million, however other suggested money-saving measures could save a further $302 million. The recommended cuts include selling the existing Gold Coast Hospital block.

Included in the possible cost-cutting measures were plans to only build two of the intended five radiotherapy bunkers and privatising the service making it inaccessible to cancer patients who are members of the public health system.

The leaked documents indicated that almost $40 million could be saved if the entire service was completely abandoned, a distressing fact for cancer patients and their families.

Although Queensland Health asserts that the budget cuts will not affect health services in a detrimental manner, it seems both the medical and broader community are not convinced.