MORE than $8 million has been invested into the Julia Creek Hospital, giving residents medical care otherwise unavailable within a 300km radius.
The Julia Creek Multi-Purpose Health Centre has undergone extensive renovation and now has a modern emergency room, upgraded aged-care wing, and facilities for outpatients including a pharmacy and pathology.
The bush hospital is the only facility of its kind within a 300km radius and serves a permanent population of around 1000 people.
Traeger MP Robbie Katter said since funding was first secured in 2016, the centre had undergone an extensive renovation with the works delivered in stations.
Mr Katter said an initial cash injection of $5.5 million had secured as part of 2016-17 Queensland budget, however further investment was needed to ensure McKinlay residents had access to the best health services possible.
Further funds were committed in 2018.
"From an initial request for $2.7 million to improve the aged care facilities in Julia Creek, to a $5.5 million commitment in 2016, then finally the overall $8 million improvements we are opening, this has been a real win for the bush and I am very pleased to be able to have been a part of it," Mr Katter said.
"I would like to congratulate the McKinlay community, and particularly the McKinlay Shire Council and the staff of the North West Hospital and Health Service and the Julia Creek Hospital, for all their lobbying efforts over the years.
"The improvements to this rural hospital have and will go a long way to improving the health outcomes and overall quality of life for those in this area, and moreover the liveability that is so important when you get out to these remote parts.
"We deserve health facilities in the bush that are comparable to what those on the coast have access to, and today's opening shows what can be done for our outback communities when there is a rural-focused balance of power situation."
Mr Katter said health facilities in Charters Towers, Hughenden and Cloncurry also required upgrades.