Middle management fails as Hospital Boards return

People power on hospital funds

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

© The Cairns Post

THE community will have more say in the direction of funding for Cairns Base Hospital once a local board is appointed next year, Health Minister Geoff Wilson says.

The state’s 17 health districts will be governed by community boards comprising business professionals and community representatives as of July next year.Mr Wilson said the move would ensure hospital funding was diverted to areas deemed priorities by the community.

"By breaking up Queensland Health, we’re putting the power back into the hands of the local community to make decisions for the local community," he said."We’ll be empowering local business, commercial and community people."

Each board would comprise at least five people to work with hospital administrators and clinicians to make decisions, he said.His comments follow calls by the Cairns Physicians Group, a lobbying body made up of public sector doctors and union workers, for Cairns Base Hospital to receive more funding to pay for extra specialists and resources.But Mr Wilson said the hospital had received a 20 per cent increase – the highest in the state – in its most recent budget.

"That’s a $90 million increase," he said. "Certainly in relation to funding, it’s quite significant."

Expressions of interest have been called for people keen to be board members for the Cairns Health Service District.Mr Wilson said the criteria was expertise and skills-based.Expressions of interest can be accessed on http://www.health.qld.gov.au/

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