The Sunshine Coast University Hospital Business and Industry Development Opportunities (SCUH BIDO) Taskforce held a breakfast forum earlier this week to discuss maximising and leveraging the economic opportunities coming out of the new university hospital. The breakfast forum coincided with the state government’s announcement that Ramsay Healthcare had won the tendering process for the new Sunshine Coast private hospital.
First announced in November 2010, the taskforce is a joint initiative spearheaded by RDA Sunshine Coast and backed by state Dept. of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (DEEDI).
The Chair of RDA Sunshine Coast and also Chair of the Taskforce identified the need for a taskforce to harness the economic opportunities presented by the new university hospital.
The Chair said “I can see that the challenges and opportunities presented by the hospital require the concentrated effort of a taskforce to maximise the economic gains for local Sunshine Coast people and businesses. I am passionate about ensuring that the hospital results in jobs for locals.”
Presenting at the Forum was international guest, Prof. Abraham Fuks. Prof. Fuks is the former Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at McGill University, Quebec, Canada and played a key role in the implementation and development of the McGill University Hospital Centre (MUHC) in Montreal.
Prof Fuks shared his experience and outlined the immense opportunities associated with the development of significant health structure. Prof Fuks projected that the Sunshine Coast University Hospital would underpin a new era in regional growth and development on the Sunshine Coast.
The Taskforce holds bi-monthly meetings as well as breakfast forums with guest speakers.