Giving the highest priority to health and aged care.
PREAMBLE
The establishment of a modern university hospital at Kawana is a great asset but does not remove the need for a modern, well-equipped health facility in Noosa – where we have an ageing population and are host to one million visitors a year. Noosa Hospital is a private entity that receives a subsidy from the State government for its public beds. Sandy believes more steps can be taken to ensure community needs for health care are fully catered for.
POLICIES
Assure adequacy of Noosa hospital services
Sandy will negotiate with the State government to conduct an ‘adequacy audit’ of the scope of community and visitor health needs in the Noosa region and the ability of the local health care system to cater to these.
Encourage establishment of modern medical technology
In 2016, much to the concern of many residents, Noosa lost the opportunity to establish a new medical centre near Noosa Hospital housing a PET scan and angiography suite. Sandy will encourage the development of a medical precinct adjacent to the hospital and work with the community to ensure Noosa never loses out like this again.
Review of ‘ageing readiness’ of the electorate
Noosa has one of the most rapidly ageing demographics in Queensland as mature age people and retirees choose to live here, a trend that brings with it specific issues. Sandy will work with State government agencies to undertake a comprehensive review of the implications of this trend to ensure local facilities and services are effectively managing current demand and are able to cope with future growth.
The hidden scourge of domestic violence
Local police and welfare authorities understand that domestic violence is a major problem in our community and how ill-equipped we are to deal with its outcomes. Sandy will work with State and regional authorities to investigate the incidence of domestic violence and determine how it matches the availability of support services and facilities and what else is needed.