Exceptional staff and growing services celebrated in Annual Report

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Darling Downs Health has released its 2022-2023 Annual Report, reflecting on the significant achievements and milestones in the most recent financial year.

From game-changing hospital announcements to exciting innovations and new technologies, it was certainly a busy 12 months for the health service.

Darling Downs Health Chief Executive Annette Scott PSM acknowledged the remarkable efforts of staff who continue to care for their communities despite an increase in the number and complexity of presentations.

“As we read about the highlights in this year’s Annual Report, I would first like to sincerely thank every single staff member at Darling Downs Health for their unwavering dedication and compassion. Without our workforce we couldn’t care for our communities,”

Darling Downs Health Chief Executive Annette Scott PSM

Several key achievements outlined in the Annual Report reflect the major investment in infrastructure.

Early enabling works started on the $1.3 billion new Toowoomba Hospital which will deliver additional overnight beds as well as new and expanded services to cater to the growing population. Funding was also announced for new hospitals in Tara and Millmerran, bringing with it the opportunity to build modern facilities for rural communities.

In Toowoomba, the expanded Emergency Department and new Isolation Ward were opened at the end of 2022, increasing capacity for the major facility. Construction surged ahead on the new Day Surgery complex, which will increase the surgical capacity for the region with two new state-of-the-art operating theatres.

“With so many infrastructure projects underway across the region, the expansion of services will help us meet the needs of our growing population,” Ms Scott said.

"Through the launch of our Health Equity Strategy and Health Equity Implementation Plan, we demonstrated our commitment to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health. This work outlines how we will achieve health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people by putting their needs at the centre of how we design and deliver care.”

Ms Scott also highlighted several other achievements outlined in this year’s Annual Report.

“This includes the first diagnostic angiogram at Toowoomba Hospital, the first contrast enhanced mammography biopsy in Queensland, a new Primary Health Clinic in Millmerran, expansion of our teleoncology service and planning for the state’s first trial drone program for medical dispatch.”

Read the full 2022-2023 Annual Report.