A new 14-million dollar 'short-stay' facility for mental health patients has been unveiled at a major Brisbane hospital. It comes after an external review into the Prince Charles hospital found its mental health wards were no longer fit for purpose. The premier has also faced criticism from the state opposition for granting the embattled Star Entertainment Group a new casino licence.
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00:00The Premier and Health Minister toured a new short-stay unit at the Prince Charles Hospital,
00:08a week after a damning review into its mental health unit.
00:12This crisis stabilisation unit will also go a long way towards meeting the recommendations
00:18from that review.
00:19The external review was sparked by three suicides in 16 months at the hospital.
00:25It found the 60-bed unit was no longer fit for purpose, posed safety risks and was beset
00:32with staff shortages.
00:34Most of the review's 22 recommendations are being implemented, but the Health Minister
00:40wouldn't commit to upgrading the unit.
00:43There is also a business case being developed by Metro North for further facilities as well,
00:48which of course, you know, once we receive that we'll consider that as well.
00:52There is more work that we need to do in terms of models of care and certainly infrastructure
00:59improvement.
01:00Meanwhile, the Premier has revealed Star Entertainment sought financial help from the state government
01:06weeks ago, seeking payroll and gambling tax deferrals.
01:11Despite this, the government granted the consortium a casino licence last week to open its $3.6
01:18billion Queens Wharf development in the Brisbane CBD.
01:22We're looking to save and protect 1,400 jobs, and that's my priority here, that's my focus
01:28here.
01:29No one is entertaining, waiving any funds owed.
01:33We want to make sure taxpayers receive the full dividend.
01:36The government have been asked, before that licence was granted, to give them financial
01:41help.
01:42Now who else would think that that is a good bit of governance?
01:46Star Entertainment told its investors on Wednesday night it was reviewing its financial position
01:52in light of adverse trading and other conditions.
01:56Ominously, it also warned it had received advice on safe harbour provisions, which are
02:02legal protections for directors in the event of any insolvent trading claims.