Hundreds of residents toured the new $65.4 million Eight Mile Plains Satellite Hospital on the weekend at a community open day.
Opening its doors to the public on Monday 27 May 2024, it stands to deliver essential healthcare services to the community.
Premier Steven Miles, Deputy Premier Cameron Dick and Health Minister Shannon Fentiman joined the festivities at the open day to showcase the new facility, meeting with local residents as well as the soon-to-be healthcare staff.
The Satellite Hospital’s First Nations co-name was also officially unveiled as Maroo-goodji-ba, symbolising tranquillity and care, while also honouring the cultural significance of 'place of red soil', a term representing Eight Mile Plains.
The facility's Minor Injury and Illness Clinic will open from 8am to 10pm daily to treat simple fractures, sprains and strains, fevers and coughs, head injuries without loss of consciousness, and a range of other non-life-threatening conditions. It also includes onsite medical imaging.
Eight Mile Plains Satellite Hospital will also offers a range of appointment-based specialist and outpatient services including a Cancer Day Therapy Unit and Kidney Dialysis Unit.
Premier Steven Miles said the new facility would support local emergency departments including the busy QEII and Logan hospitals.
“Satellite hospitals work. They have already proven successful, providing quick, effective and cost-free treatment to thousands of Queenslanders.
“As part of the Queensland Government’s $14 billion Big Build, we’re also investing in major expansions at our southside hospitals to be delivered over the next five years.”
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman said the Eight Mile Plains Satellite Hospital would be a gamechanger for the growing community, providing healthcare closer to home for residents.
“I’m so proud to cut the ribbon today at the Eight Mile Plains Satellite Hospital.
“More than 25,000 additional residents will call Brisbane’s southern suburbs home in the next decade.
“The Queensland Government is investing in the Australian-first satellite hospitals program to help meet the demand for healthcare in our fastest growing regions.
“I’m also pleased to announce that the state-of-the-art facility will open to the public from 8am on Monday 27 May.”
Metro South Health Chief Executive, Noelle Cridland said she was thrilled that the new Satellite Hospital would provide another healthcare option for local residents.
“Metro South Health has a proud tradition of providing accessible, culturally safe and equitable healthcare services for everyone in the communities we serve.
“We have a strong focus and commitment to improving our health service by listening to First Nations voices, employee more First Nations people, and supporting a better integrated and coordinated system for First Nations peoples.
“The facility’s First Nations co-name, Maroo-goodji-ba, was selected by local Traditional Owners and is another step forward in our journey to improve health outcomes for all.”
More than 100 health care workers have been recruited to staff the new Satellite Hospital including doctors, nurses, administration officers, allied health practitioners and operational staff.
The $65.4 million investment, which included road widening works outside the facility to improve access, is part of the Queensland Government’s nation leading $377 million Satellite Hospitals program.
Satellite Hospitals in Kallangur, Redlands, Ripley and Tugun are providing quality urgent care in rapidly growing communities across South East Queensland.