Last week, the welcome news came that the Warwick hospital is likely to see an upgrade sometime in the not-too-distant future. Darling Downs Health has launched that they have funded a “review” into future infrastructure options at the site, including a helipad.
Southern Downs Mayor Melissa Hamilton says it just isn’t enough. While she calls the review a “positive indication” that Warwick residents are “being taken seriously” she wants to skip the review stage and get straight into action. “While I welcome long-term planning for our region’s health services, the issue of the Warwick Hospital helipad needs to be separated from this review and immediately addressed.”
The mayor is frustrated. “I have repeatedly asked for action on the helipad because every minute matters in an emergency. I will continue to push strongly until a safe, workable solution at or adjacent to the Warwick Hospital is delivered.”
She says the issue is huge in Warwick and that she continues to talk to residents who are unhappy with the delay by Queensland Health and the State Government “to put in place a temporary solution that addresses the anxiety that the community has about timely airlifts.”
“I believe there are options to site the helipad near the hospital, at least while longer term options are addressed. We stand ready to collaborate, but we need the Queensland Government to understand the urgency of the situation.”
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