The only spinal unit in Queensland, based at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, is at capacity, depriving patients of specialised care.
The unit, for patients with spinal cord injuries that have no cure, has 40 beds that are “at capacity most of the time,” according to the unit’s director Dr Sridhar Atresh.
Quadriplegic patient Peter Stevens has spent the last four months at the unit and says “there are certain things that a spinal patient needs but can’t get up in the general ward and it's frustrating when you know there is help close by”.
Premier Annastacia Palaszscuk has announced $1.85 million to upgrade the toilets, gardens and dining room, but there is no funding yet to help with capacity.
Image: Lydia Lynch
