Townsville Hospital tackles elective surgery list

Published Tuesday, 14 January, 2014 at 02:07 PM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier
The Honourable Campbell Newman

Minister for Health
The Honourable Lawrence Springborg

The number of patients at Townsville Hospital who have been waiting for more than a year for elective surgery has been slashed from 337 to just 18.

Premier Campbell Newman and Health Minister Lawrence Springborg visited Townsville today to congratulate staff on the outstanding result.

“In December 2012, 337 patients had been waiting for more than a year for elective surgery. In just 12 months, we have reduced that number to 18,” Mr Newman said.

“This fantastic achievement is a direct result our commitment to revitalise frontline services and put patients first.

“In addition to reducing the long wait list, 82 per cent of Category 3 patients at Townsville Hospital were treated within the benchmark 12 months in the July to September quarter. This is a 22 per cent improvement for the same quarter last year.''

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said staff at the Hospital had done a great job to reduce the waiting list.

“This result has been achieved through weekend surgery, a reallocation of operating theatre time and an unwavering commitment from the surgical service group to get these numbers down,” Mr Springborg said.

“The former Labor Government left waiting lists like this at hospitals right across the state.

“By changing the way we deliver services and putting the control of hospitals back in the hands of local boards, we have achieved results Labor couldn’t even get close to delivering."

[ENDS] 14 January 2014

Media contact: Premier’s Office 3719 7000   Health Minister Clare Mildren 0417 255 284