Premium Content
Subscriber only
The communities of Bowen and Collinsville can look forward to accessing vital healthcare services such as CT scans and renal dialysis closer to home next year, as construction on a new $7m hospital wing kicks off.
The new Bowen Hospital facilities are expected to benefit 800 patients a year who will no longer need to travel to other locations, such as Townsville, Mackay or Proserpine, to access the services.
Dawson MP George Christensen, who will attend a sod turn to mark the start of construction today, paid tribute to Bowen Chamber of Commerce president Bruce Hedditch, and other community leaders who made it happen.
Premium Content
Subscriber only A Moranbah mum and long time resident was horrified and in utter disbelief at the condition of the local hospital, which included walls with holes and cracked ceilings. Jennifer Malcolm was admitted to Moranbah Hospital on Tuesday afternoon with pneumonia and has been required to stay since. While she felt she received one of the better rooms, it still had exposed openings in the walls, visible termite damage and a cracked ceiling around the air conditioner which left her thinking it could have fallen at any time. "The community and surrounding districts heavily rely upon this hospital and it's falling apart, it's crumbling," Mrs Malcolm said.
'Crumbling' hospital sparks outrage among Moranbah residents dailymercury.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from dailymercury.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said it was critical any unknown cases were detected “as quickly as possible through our testing system, to contain any potential spread”.
“We are concerned by the new variants that are emerging overseas that are more contagious than previous variants we have seen in Queensland,” Dr Young said. Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young is urging people to get tested if they are unwell. NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi
“It’s also possible that this detection relates to previous COVID-19 cases that can shed viral fragments for a couple of months after they are no longer infectious.
"We are asking people with less serious conditions to see their GP if possible." Data revealed there had been 8195 presentations to emergency departments across the state for attention to surgical dressings and sutures, 2525 for splinters and 3358 for medical certificates and repeat prescriptions. There were also 559 presentations for nail disorders such as an ingrown nail, 377 for fractures loose or impacted teeth, 358 for muscle cramps and spasms and 180 for sunburns. Other non urgent emergency departments presentations across the state included blisters, contraceptive management, acne and hiccups. "All patients attending our emergency department are treated, however we prioritise patients according to their clinical need," Ms Davies Jones said.
Mackay schools have been issued a Timeout poster with information regarding the recommended minimum exclusion times for various infections.
Hand, foot and mouth symptoms include a mild fever, runny nose, sore mouth/throat and blisters in the mouth, on the feet or hands and even on the elbows, knees or nappy area.
These blisters usually last from three to five days. Hand, foot and mouth disease.
Gastroenteritis is highly infectious and any child with vomiting or diarrhoea should stay home for at least 24 to 48 hours after symptoms have stopped.
To prevent further cases parents are urged to keep any child displaying symptom home until they are symptom free.
Premium Content
Subscriber only
This follows three recently positive COVID-19 cases transiting through Brisbane Airport.
Dr Jeannette Young said the mask wearing direction is in place for exactly this reason. Anyone flying on a plane is reminded to wear a mask at the airport and during the flight.
Picture: Alex Coppel.
“We know most of our positive cases are overseas acquired in people travelling to Queensland on planes,” she said.
“This is why the Australian Government mandated mask wearing on planes and in airports, and we have put in place a specific public health direction in Queensland to enforce it.
Premium Content
Subscriber only
UPDATE: A rider who was seriously injured near Pinnacle on Saturday had been following a dirt track when he hit a large rock, flipped over the handlebars and slammed into a tree.
He suffered cuts to his face, a broken left femur and possible spinal injuries. A rider flipped over the handle bars of his bike and slammed into a tree while riding a dirt track from Eungella Dam to Pinnacle. The RACQ CQ Rescue chopper was called to winch the man and fly him to Mackay Base Hospital. Photo: RACQ CQ Rescue
Paramedics were called to the site at Captains Crossing but because of his difficult location RACQ CQ Rescue was called about midday to winch the injured man before flying him to Mackay Base Hospital.