An “in principle” agreement has been reached to extend the lease on a local hospital, but an LNP candidate says it is nothing more than “a handshake deal” to allay concerns ahead of the state election.
Health Minister Shannon Fentiman said in a media release last week that Sunshine Coast Health had agreed in principle with Ramsay Health to negotiate a contract extension at Noosa Hospital.
The hospital is run by private operator Ramsay, which has a contract with the state government’s Queensland Health to treat emergency patients and provide some public health services.
There are six years left on the existing agreement.
“This lease renewal means the Noosa community can be assured that their Noosa Hospital will be able to care for them for many years to come,” Ms Fentiman said.
But LNP candidate for Noosa Clare Stewart said residents deserved more answers about the future of the hospital.
“Until a lease is signed, sealed and delivered, there is no certainty for Noosa,” she said.
“After years of inaction, the best Labor could do is claim a handshake deal, designed to dupe Noosa residents ahead of the election.”
Ms Stewart also took aim at independent Member for Noosa Sandy Bolton over the hospital.
“The LNP has been fighting for a lease to be signed to extend the Noosa Hospital and give certainty to the Noosa community, but Sandy Bolton has failed to secure an agreement from the government,” she said.
“(She) has consistently stated that our calls for this lease extension were ‘nonsense’.”
But Ms Bolton said more details over the contract extension would be forthcoming.
“We look forward to the coming weeks as the details of the lease extension are completed,” she said.
“Noosa Hospital is a much loved and valued part of our community, providing wonderful services and care, including from the beautiful volunteers.”
Noosa Hospital CEO Karl van der Merwe confirmed the Ramsay team was in the process of ongoing negotiations with Sunshine Coast Health regarding the lease.
“We are continuing to have positive discussions with the local health service towards achieving a long-term lease which will enable us to commence developments as soon as possible,” he said.
Sunshine Coast Health chief executive Dr Peter Gillies said Noosa Hospital provided essential care for the community.
“Providing care as close to home as possible is a key priority for our health service, and contracts like this one help us to keep patients in their communities when they need care,” he said.
“The local clinicians support high-quality, accessible care to the Noosa community, which is why we have agreed in principle to the lease renewal to see our successful partnership with Ramsay Health extended.”
The agreement with the state government has been in place with the hospital since it opened in 1999.
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