"Dr Ben Whitehead and his team have collected more than 900 signatures from staff at the hospital alone supporting that name change," he said. "Since then the board has written to me supporting their campaign, and the Children's Hospital foundation saying that they believe they would raise more funds if the name of the hospital changed. "Queensland Health also commissioned market research of Queensland parents and found that under half knew that this hospital was a public hospital. "Around a quarter thought it was a private hospital, that's all very concerning." He said doctors had told him that parents frequently did not bring their children to the hospital in an emergency, believing it was a private hospital and they might not be able to afford treatment.

Doctors presenting research at international conferences also used the name Children's Hospital Queensland instead of Lady Cilento as it was not a name recognised internationally. Mr Miles said if the public supported the name change to Queensland Children's Hospital, it would go ahead. Dr Whitehead, one of the doctors leading the campaign, said the medical staff were very pleased to have Mr Miles' support. "We believe that this name would better reflect our hospital on a national and international hospital and also reduce the confusion that does exist among families about the function of this hospital," he said.

"We look forward to the outcome of public consultation." Dr Whitehead said staff believed changing the name would improve the hospital's international reputation and ability to be involved in international research projects. Opposition deputy leader Tim Mander said the proposed change was "ridiculous", questioning the cost of changing the hospital's branding and pointing out other hospitals such as the Princess Alexandria did not have their location in their name. "The hospital was named after Phyllis Dorothy Cilento, who was a fierce advocate for the health of mothers and children," he said. “Her story is inspiring and should be celebrated by Queenslanders."

Public consultation on the name change will be open for a month. However, Queensland Health does not know how much changing the name might cost because the name has not been chosen yet. Director-general Michael Walsh said "wayfinding" signs within the hospital could be changed quickly by having the signs pasted over, while stationery and cards would only be changed when they "came up for renewal". "It is a challenge to identify a firm cost because we don't know what the name of the hospital will be at this point in time," he told estimates hearings. "If it's currently Lady Cilento Children's Hospital and the name was changed to Queensland's Children's Hospital, there would potentially be only some of the signage that would be needed to be replaced, potentially ... Because 'Children's Hospital' remains the last two aspects.

"If it was another name that was chosen then there would other potential costs." Mr Miles said changing the hospital's name was not designed to disparage the name or recognition of Lady Cilento. He said doctors believed the change would avoid confusion, help them be more successful at publishing and speaking at conferences. "The Children's Hospital Foundation have written to me to say that they believe they'll raise more funds," he said. - with Felicity Caldwell