AFTER opening in August 2023, the Ripley Satellite Hospital is set for a re-brand after seeing over 25,000 pass through the facility’s doors.
A survey of health professionals on renaming Queensland’s satellite hospitals closed last month, with more than 2780 people responding.
Less than 5% opted to retain “satellite hospitals” in the range of facility names, due to confusion around the services provided.
The results will now be put to a clinical advisory group to review and report back on this month, with State Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls saying a report will be submitted to the Government by January 17 for consideration.
“This survey is a critical step in the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to ensure the public is fully aware of health services available to them so they can receive the right care in the right place at the right time,” he said.
“We pledged to undertake genuine consultation on a new name for satellite hospitals within 100 days of taking office and – without dodgy Steven Miles manipulation – we will implement the results.”
Mr Nicholls assured the public that the seven satellite hospitals – Caboolture, Redland, Ripley, Tugun, Kallangur, Eight Mile Plains and Bribie Island – would continue to provide the same level of healthcare services, including scheduled appointments and urgent care.
“I want to emphasise to the community that this consultation is not about altering the care provided by frontline staff, but ensuring the community’s and clinicians’ voices are heard and health facilities are appropriately named,” he said.
“The community will still receive the same level of care currently delivered by our dedicated nurses, medical officers and allied health professionals.”
The survey suggested names including satellite health centre, community health hub, community health service, satellite health hub or ambulatory health service, and allowed for other suggestions.
Alternative names suggested included options such as minor injury and illness clinics, urgent care centre, community health centre or health care hub.
