The petition of residents of the State of Queensland draws to the attention of the House the critical need to upgrade the Atherton Hospital.

The residents of the Atherton Tablelands have waited long enough for a new hospital and call on the Government to replace the facility as a matter of priority and urgency.

The current facilities are outdated and rather than spending large sums of money on Band-Aid solutions, the petitioners request that money be put into the redevelopment of a new facility. A new upgraded hospital would attract a broad range of specialists that patients currently have to travel as far as Cairns, Townsville and Brisbane to access.  A new hospital would ensure that patient care and emergency services are maximised. An upgraded hospital would relieve pressure on the Cairns Hospital and would further provide an alternative hospital during severe weather events.

Your petitioners, therefore, request the House to urgently approve the upgrade of the Atherton Hospital into a new and functional facility.