Doctors caught in crossfire after hospital moves patients to Sea World

Up to 24 beds are available for patients no longer needing acute hospital-based care.

A political stoush has broken out with doctors caught in the middle after hospital patients were transferred to a theme park hotel to free up beds ahead of winter.

For weeks, Sea World Resort has put aside 24 beds for low-acuity patients from Gold Coast University Hospital, with round-the-clock nurse care and daily visits from doctors.

But the Queensland Opposition has slammed the initiative, claiming doctors inappropriately signed off on the transfer of an 81-year-old patient with a pelvic injury.

Liberal MP Sam O’Connor told State Parliament the patient’s bed was not height adjustable and that chairs in his room were “not suitable for an elderly patient with hip breaks”.