More than $2 million in compensation has been offered by the Queensland government to people affected by serious hearing care failures at a state hospital.
Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has announced one-off payments to almost 100 families and individuals after an independent review into Townsville University Hospital's audiology unit.
The review was sparked when Children's Health Queensland alerted the state government about concerns for services provided during the assessment of babies who had been referred for further testing.
Two staff members at the Townsville unit were stood down in April as a result of the probe.
One no longer works at the health service.
Almost 350 children were part of the audiology program with 59 recalled and 20 requiring urgent follow-ups.
Ms Fentiman announced the compensation on Wednesday after pledging all 25 recommendations from the independent review would be implemented at the Townsville hospital.
More than $2.2 milllion will be provided to 97 families and individuals who required additional testing and follow-up care.
Individuals and families of children who experienced the most significant impacts have been offered $50,000 while those who have been recalled for additional testing will be offered $5000.
People can still lodge personal injury claims even if they receive the payments.
"While these payments cannot undo what happened, I hope they provide additional support for individuals and families to access further care if needed," Ms Fentiman said.
''We know what these patients and families have been through, and we'd like to help in a way that will make a real and tangible difference."
Townsville Hospital and Health Service's CEO said the review raised concerns but assured the community that their audiology unit was now in "safe hands".
"This has been a very difficult time for our hospital as we come to terms with the findings, but we will continue to show up for our patients and families every day as we move forward," he said.
Opposition health spokesperson Ros Bates called on Ms Fentiman to release the full report into the audiology review at the Townsville hospital.
"These families are going to suffer from this for many years to come," she said.
"They need to be supported through this time but we need to go back and find out exactly what happened ...for that to occur in the first place so that it never happens again."
Opposition leader David Crisafulli agreed the Queensland public deserved answers.
"What were the system failures that allowed the staff to fail so badly?" he said.
"What processes have been put in place to make sure that doesn't happen again?
"Accountability and transparency drives cultural change and better outcomes and that is not happening with Queensland Health at the moment."
