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New report reveals sick state of Queensland Hospitals

A damning report released by the Auditor-General today has exposed the extent of Queensland’s deteriorating health system.

The State Government is failing Queenslanders waiting to see a specialist for surgical or medical care.

The report shows despite spending $600 million since taking office, the State Government has overseen half a decade of decline in waiting times.

The number of category two and category three patients seen within clinically recommended times is sliding to historical new lows.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli said the job of a good government was to plan for future growth and to properly fund our hospitals.

“It could be your grandmother in need of a hip operation or your father with chronic pain who don’t have timely access to see a specialist in Queensland,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“This is someone waiting for a cancer screening procedure or an appointment to address their failing eye sight.

“It also includes Queenslanders waiting to see a psychiatrist for the first time.”


Perhaps most concerning, this report was finalised before the Government released its latest figures showing an extraordinary jump in the July-September quarter.

The number of Queenslanders shoved on the waiting-list-for-the-waiting list has increased by 7% or 15,000 people to a record high of 245,000 patients.


“I am deeply concerned by the Auditor General’s findings which show the State Government is losing control of the Queensland Health Crisis,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“The State Government isn’t properly planning for the future.

“Queenslanders waiting desperately to see a specialist deserve better.

“This is heaping more pressure on our health system and hardworking health workers who are straining under skyrocketing ambulance ramping and overcrowding in emergency departments.  


“The LNP has put solutions on the table which the government could implement now.

“They include:

1) Data Transparency: Real-time data so patients and health professionals can help make decisions around resourcing and performance.

2) Triaging Improvements: Better resourcing for triaging in emergency departments to ensure the service is fit for purpose.

3) Targeted funding: Investing in more beds instead of fudging the figures by counting chairs in the hospital bed tally.

4) Empowering Frontline Staff: Allowing doctors, nurses and paramedics the power to determine resources in their hospitals, using local expertise.

“All Queenslanders deserve a health system they can depend on, no matter where they live.”

Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said our dedicated frontline staff were doing an incredible job under immense stress.

“As a nurse and former hospital administrator I know how intense it can get on the frontline,” Ms Bates said.

“These hard working doctors and nurses are keeping our health system running.

“If the embattled Health Minister can’t fix our hospitals, then she should go.

“Labor is losing control of the health system.


“The Opposition won’t stop fighting for better health care.

“Patients, not politics must be the number one priority.”

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