Left in the lurch 2:03
The families of sick children from regional areas across Queensland have been forced to make their own way to the new Lady Cilento Children’s hospital in South Brisbane
- TEN
- 04 Dec 2014
- News
EXECUTIVES at the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital say they have fixed almost all the glitches that prompted a spate of complaints from parents and staff.
The $1.5 billion hospital has been under fire since it opened on November 1, with several mothers of patients telling The Courier-Mail it lacked basic comforts such as convenient access to food, microwaves in kitchens, washing machines and adequate transport.
“Not surprisingly, we’re not as efficient as we can be just yet but with more than 3000 staff and 3800 rooms, it was always going to take time for us to reach our peak,” Children’s Health Queensland chief executive Dr Peter Steer said.
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He said inpatient numbers had doubled since the transfer of children from the Mater and Royal Children’s hospitals.
Dr Steer said all family kitchens now had microwaves and the two public laundries were fully operational.
A second coffee cart will be operational this week and a fruit vending machine was installed near the main entry on Tuesday.
A pop-up cafe is planned to open at the Stanley St entrance before Christmas.
A vending machine has been installed near the main entry of the Lady Cilento Children’s Hospital and it’s hoped a pop-up cafe will open before Christmas. Picture: Liam Kidston. Source: News Corp Australia
“Transport services are also running more smoothly as families learn our shuttle timetable and alternatives outside shuttle hours or for transporting immunocompromised children or children in wheelchairs,” Dr Steer said.
Parents and staff also complained about delays in access to medication and shortages of vital equipment, forcing the Children’s Health Board to bring forward an independent review into the clinical safety of patients.
The hospital, at South Brisbane, has been mired in controversy since it was a planning concept, with huge debate raging about the decision to move children’s hospital services all to one side of the river, leading to claims some children would be disadvantaged.