Petition

The petition of residents of the State of Queensland draws to the
attention of the House the constant concerns of residents who use the
Gladstone Base Hospital that funding for the hospital has not kept pace
with the needs of the region. Hospital wards have been closed and
amalgamated ie. There was a medical and a surgical ward now both are
combined with only a dividing wall but no tangible infection control;
children’s ward has been closed and a very small ward taken adjacent to
the labour ward doors. The medical staff are commended for their work
under very demanding conditions however there are regular incidents of
residents not admitted because of insufficient beds.

Your petitioners therefore request the House to increase the financial
allocation to the Gladstone Hospital; increase staff at the hospital
(nurses, doctors and specialists) and re-open closed wards to ensure
adequate bed space.