One woman's outrage at the state of rooms within the Moranbah Hospital has been echoed by the local Mayor, as calls mount to upgrade the mining town's facility.
Central Queensland woman Jennifer Malcolm was admitted to the hospital last month after contracting pneumonia — and was in disbelief when she entered her room.
"I was quite shocked by the state of the room," Ms Malcolm said.
"There were holes everywhere.
Ms Malcolm said she felt the condition of the building was unsafe.
Isaac Mayor Anne Baker said Ms Malcolm's experience reiterated the need for fast-tracked upgrades.
"There should be no question that the facility needs to be upgraded," Councillor Baker said.
"It needs to present as a fit-for-purpose facility and it is wanting at the moment, there's no doubt about that."
Health service says hospital is safe
In a statement, the Mackay Hospital and Health Service said its top priority was always the health and wellbeing of patients.
"The development of a detailed business case for Moranbah Hospital is also progressing, which will explore the potential scope for a redevelopment project," a statement from chief executive Lisa Davies Jones said.
"Moranbah Hospital is safe for patients, visitors and staff."
It said six-monthly pest and termite inspections were being carried out and an insurance claim for remedial works to repair the damage was progressing.
"We are in the final stages of our procurement process, which commenced in March this year."
Councillor Baker said the community deserved a more concrete timeline.
"What I do have confidence in is that it's being talked about," she said.
"What I would like to see here, and have validated … is the timing of it and full commitment of funding."
Jennifer Malcolm hoped her experience would help improve conditions for patients and staff.
"The medical care here is amazing, but the facility is not."
