State budget fails to deliver CT scanner for Ingham Hospital

14 June 2023

Hinchinbrook MP and KAP Deputy Leader, Nick Dametto.

Katter’s Australian Party (KAP) Deputy Leader and Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto is extremely disappointed that funding for a computed tomography (CT) scanner for Ingham Hospital was neglected in the 2023-2024 State Budget.

The Hinchinbrook MP said following his recent Question Without Notice to the newly appointed Health Minister he was feeling positive that the Minister would have seen a CT scanner delivered for the Ingham Hospital in the 2023-2024 State Budget.

In May, Mr Dametto asked Minister Fentiman if she would commit to funding a CT scanner for the Ingham Hospital in the year’s budget and the Minister stated that the proposal was under consideration, and she gave her commitment to move the matter forward to deliver a solution for Ingham.[1]

“In collaboration with the Ingham Hospital Community Advisory Network, Townsville Hospital and Health Board and the community, I have lobbied for years for a CT scanner for the Ingham Hospital and I truly thought after such a positive and promising response this would have been the year the State Labor Government delivered it,” Mr Dametto said.

“As the Minister acknowledged health emergencies happen outside of business hours and the current situation being relying on one private provider during business hours isn’t working for the electorate.

“A CT scanner is essential medical equipment and in today’s day and age, patients shouldn’t need to travel over an hour and a half to Townsville or be transported to the local provider for a CT scan after presenting to the Ingham Hospital.

“This process chews up valuable time and resources, Queensland Health staff and ambulances during a health care crisis.

“Just because the Minister has failed to include a CT scanner for the Ingham Hospital in this year’s Budget doesn’t mean the fight stops here. I have been told there may be a pot of money that this project could be funded from in the future,” Mr Dametto said.

The Hinchinbrook MP looks forward to meeting with the Minister to discuss her commitment to deliver a solution for the Ingham Hospital.

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[1] https://nickdametto.com/health-minister-committed-to-ingham-ct-scanner