The new board will meet Monday night to elect a chairman.
Some former members of the Board were discharged arising from a plan to hold a special meeting on Monday night to consider having the Letters Patent, which establish the hospital, revoked.
Newly-elected Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Queensland, the Right Rev Graeme McKay, has assured staff, patients and the community that the excellent medical care provided by the hospital and its staff will continue.
“The change of membership of the Board of Governors will not affect the day to day running of the hospital, the provision of services that are offered by the hospital or the excellence in delivery of services,” Mr McKay said.
St Andrew’s Hospital was founded by Mr and Mrs J. Bain of Jandowae, in memory of their son James in 1966, and was to be firmly established upon a Christian ethos.
“The Constitution of St Andrew’s Hospital states that the first objective of the Hospital is ‘to proclaim the Lord Jesus Christ as Healer and Redeemer’,” Mr McKay said.
He said the fundamental objective of the hospital had been supported by countless generous donors throughout its history and their intention must be respected.
The hospital is a charity with all proceeds being re-invested into the hospital.
Mr McKay thanked members of the former Board for their dedicated service over many years and said he was saddened at the turn of events.
“It has deeply grieved the members of the General Assembly that they have been compelled to take such action.
“In no way is it a reflection on the way in which any Governor has carried out their duty in the general management of the Hospital.
“However the Church has found itself in a position whereby it needed to act decisively,” he said.
The new Board of Governors is committed to ensuring that the excellent medical care provided by the hospital to the community continues into the future.
