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CAIRNS BASE HOSPITAL -
THE VITAL UPGRADE...
There is no denying a much-needed major expansion to the Cairns Base Hospital is long overdue, and, which has obviously been neglected by successive Governments over the past twenty (20) years.
But, where is it written that this taxpayer-owned (State) medical facility must be confined to a specific single location?
The existing Hospital MUST remain at its present location on The Esplanade with some major upgrade. This will ensure medical facilities are readily available to Cairns residents and, to the hundreds of thousands of tourist who visit the City annually.
The former Cairns North School property is ideally located for the establishment of a secure 'Mental Health' facility and, has sufficient space to accommodate a 'Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation Centre', thus removing two (2) current problem areas from existing Base Hospital locations.
In addition, the mooted prime site located adjacent to the James Cook University's (JCU) Smithfield campus, may be ideally used as a 'Women's Hospital', with an adjoining 'Children's Hospital', incorporating a first class JCU medical student training facility for obstetrics, paediatrics and nurses, plus a variety of other 'women and children' medical needs.
By relocating two (2) specialist areas, 'Mental Health' and 'Drug & Alcohol Rehabilitation' to the Cairns North location, which I understand is already State-owned, plus relocation of another two (2) 'Women' and 'Children' facilities to State-owned land at Smithfield, the provision for future expansion at all three locations would provide Cairns with world class specialist Medical Hospitals for the next fifty (50) plus years.
The current political blame-game by aspiring party candidates is not helpful as the solution, and funding, is the responsibility at both State and Federal levels and, I hasten to add, the electorate is far more politically sophisticated and informed now than it was three years ago.
SEE: CAIRNS
BASE HOSPITAL - THE SOLUTION
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