West Moreton looking fit for the future

West Moreton Hospital and Health Service has passed its first quarter health performance check-up for 2014 with flying colours and has set itself up for a bright future.

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said the latest data shows Queensland is well on the way to having the best free public health system in the nation. 

“We have worked relentlessly over the past two years to change the State’s health record as one of the worst performing to now, one of the best in the country,” he said.

 “Improvements have been seen across all health services but particularly in the area of elective surgery waiting times.

“One hundred per cent of urgent and non-urgent West Moreton patients received surgery within the recommended timeframe during the January to March quarter 2014, compared to just 88 and 90 per cent respectively just two years ago under the previous Labor Government.

“The number of patients seen on time who were waiting for surgery considered "semi-urgent" improved from 77 per cent in the 2012 quarter to 99 per cent during the January to March quarter this year.

“This is a great outcome for West Moreton patients and a fantastic turnaround from just two years ago.

“These results show we are delivering on our election promise to revitalise frontline services.

 “Two years ago West Moreton reported just 63 per cent of emergency department patients being seen, treated, discharged or admitted within the four-hour National Emergency Access Target or NEAT in the January to March quarter 2012.

“This year I am proud to say that the hard work of staff from across the hospital to reduce bed block is paying off, as that figure has improved to 83 per cent for the same quarter this year.

“This is a major achievement and has occurred due to the support of the whole hospital and health system, including the rural hospitals, to make sure patients have timely access to acute inpatient care.

Mr Springborg said there is a similar success story to tell when it comes to dental health.

“The number of West Moreton patients waiting for two years or more on the general care dental waiting list is down from 3,512 long-wait public dental patients in March 2013, to zero in March 2014.

“I would like to thank all West Moreton Health Service staff, our hardworking doctors, dentists and nurses for achieving such great results.

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Media contact: Cameron Thompson 0407-585230