Latest hospital performance data put under the microscope

Queenslanders are spending less time waiting at hospital emergency departments (EDs) according to the latest health performance data to be published in newspapers across the State tomorrow.

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said the second quarterly release of performance tables to be published by Queensland Health showed a 12 per cent improvement in the number of ED patients whose length of stay is under four hours. 

“Since hospital boards were introduced on 1 July 2012, patients have noticed continuing improvements in the time they’re waiting in hospital EDs,” Mr Springborg said.

“The Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service was the stand-out achiever in the April – June 2013 quarter. (see list below)

“Despite the state-wide impact of Commonwealth funding cuts in the six months to June, Gold Coast EDs achieved a 20 per cent improvement in the number of patients processed within four hours, compared to July – September 2012.

“However, there is still work to be done. Our elective surgery and specialist outpatient’s clinic waiting lists were affected by the Commonwealth cuts and saw a three per cent decrease and just a two per cent increase respectively.”

As part of state-wide health reforms outlined in the Government’s ‘Blueprint for Better Healthcare’, Queensland publishes a wider range of hospital performance data than any other Australian state.

It is the only State to compare the performance of its Hospital and Health Services each quarter in newspapers.

Mr Springborg said the printed data compares elective surgery, emergency departments, outpatient’s waiting times and other key performance indicators.
 
“This is all about transparency, so Queenslanders can decide for themselves how well their local Hospital and Health Service is performing,” he said.

“Positive achievements in EDs will flow-on to generate improvements in other areas of our hospitals.

“As a whole, Queensland Health must continue to improve its performance if national emergency access and elective surgery targets are to be achieved by mid-2014.

“Under Commonwealth-State agreements, these goals must be realised to maximise our share of Commonwealth funding for Queensland Hospitals.”

[ENDS] 2 August 2013

Media Contact: Cameron Thompson 0407-585230

Highlights: Emergency Department performance Jul/Sep 2012 Vs Apr/Jun 2013
(percentage of patients with length of stay less than four hours)

HHS/2012/2013/%Diff

Gold Coast 58/78/20
West Moreton 61/80/19
Metro North 54/71/17
Metro South 58/74/16
Darling Downs 64/79/15
Cairns/Hinterland 58/71/13
Sunshine Coast 66/77/11
Townsville 64/74/10