Health Roundtable
Federal Member for Flynn, Colin Boyce hosted general practitioners, health professionals and local community advocates for a regional health roundtable in Gladstone this week.
Topics of discussion included challenges of recruiting and retaining staff, lack of GPs in regional Australia’s underserviced areas, development of local health training opportunities and policy initiatives to improve regional health outcomes.
Mr Boyce said that it was an important opportunity for local professionals to discuss regional health challenges as well as practical solutions and initiatives that can be implemented by State and Federal Governments.
“Regional Queensland has felt the brunt of subpar health services for far too long,” Mr Boyce said.
“From maternity bypasses to lack of GPs and specialists, regional health has complex issues that needs to be addressed.
“After countless meetings, community forums, media events, ministerial representations, and speeches in Parliament, the Gladstone Hospital Maternity Ward bypass ended in 2023 after an almost yearlong bypass.
“Currently, we have the Biloela Hospital Maternity Ward that has been on bypass for well over a year.
“We have the significant challenges of general practitioners exiting regional Australia and moving to metropolitan areas leaving local communities waiting weeks to see a doctor or without a doctor entirely.
“As the Federal Member for Flynn, I will continue to advocate for better regional health services and make sure that our local communities are strongly represented.”
Power disruptions – Clinton
Approximately 102 customers in Clinton were experience power disruptions on Sunday 28 January and Monday 29 January.
Customers reported having their household power surging on and off, as well as safety switches cutting out.
Ergon Energy reported that the loss of supply was due to damage requiring emergency repairs in the area, with crews working on-site.
The affected roads included Beardmore Pl, Clarendon St, Col Brown Ave, Leslie St, Moondarra Ct, Whitbread Rd and Wuruma Ct.
Benaraby – snake bite
A man in his 30s was transported to Gladstone Hospital in a stable condition after sustaining a suspected snake bite to the foot at a private address near Benaraby, on Wednesday 24 January at 7.20pm.
Calliope – motorcycle crash
Paramedics transported a man in his 20s to Gladstone Hospital with an ankle injury following a motorcycle crash on Friday 28 January. It is believed the crash occurred at another location but he was treated by paramedics at 8.29pm.
More rain forecast
Heavy rainfall around Bororen on Monday night led to downstream flooding that washed a Camry off the bridge at Bindaree Road early on Tuesday morning.
Fingerboard Road was closed due to flooding at lunchtime Tuesday 30.
With more heavy rain forecast overnight Wednesday, access through to Agnes Water or Bundaberg via Miriam Vale/ Fingerboard Road on Wednesday were looking slim.
Stay tuned to weather warnings with Region Watch at https://regionwatch.gladstone.qld.gov.au/
