By MEGAN OGLE
THE chief of Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service has moved to reassure residents that Noosa Hospital will remain open.
Addressing the Chamber of Commerce Noosa at its general meeting on Tuesday 14 June, chief executive Kevin Hegarty said the future of the hospital was secure amidst rumours of an imminent closure.
“Noosa Hospital’s future is certain,” he said.
“Noosa was best served by a model that combined both public and private as there isn’t the demand to support and make viable a standalone private or public hospital.
“Noosa Hospital is unique.
“It’s the only hospital in Queensland that operates under a BOOT contract and that doesn’t mean it’s getting booted.
“Boot as in build, own, operate, transfer. It’s a private hospital that is built on state land under a contract and service agreement.”
The 20-year contract expires on 30 June 2020 however Mr Hegarty said negotiations were already underway with the operators of the hospital, Ramsay Health Care, to ensure continuity of service.
Mr Hegarty also confirmed (SCHHS) will continue to fund the provision of services to public patients at Noosa Hospital.
Mr Hegarty said the SCHHS is committed to maintaining local capacity for public patients in service areas such as an emergency medical centre and inpatient beds.
“Two messages I’d like you to take away tonight is that absolute assurance that what’s in place with Noosa Hospital at the moment will continue.
“There may be some contractual change, there will have to be as the current one ends on 30 June 2020,” Mr Hegarty said.
“But the main thing that the community and visitors to the community need to know is that their access to services is guaranteed and they will see no change other than perhaps an expansion of the private capacity because if Ramsay Health Care get that certainty beyond 2020 hopefully they will continue to grow that private sector capacity to meet the needs as well,” he said.
