Lowest September quarter ramping in half a decade, as 2027 free flu vaccination program expanded

The Crisafulli Government has delivered the lowest September quarterly ambulance ramping rate in five years.
Despite record levels of demand on emergency departments and the highest number of stranded patients stuck in hospital beds, new health data shows ramping continues to improve year-on-year after spiralling out of control under Labor.
The 2027 Free Flu Vaccination Program will be the largest to date, featuring expanded eligibility for FluMist and permanently broadened scope of practice for trained clinicians to immunise in more locations.
The Crisafulli Government is reducing pressure on emergency departments and healing Labor’s Health Crisis through the Hospital Rescue Plan, which is delivering new and expanded hospitals.

The Crisafulli Government is healing Labor's Health Crisis, with ramping during the latest September quarter the lowest rate in half a decade.

New Queensland Health data shows the statewide quarterly ambulance ramping rate has improved by 4.6 percentage points – a significant reduction compared with the same time last year – and sits at 40.8 per cent.

This improvement is despite record strain on Queensland's public hospitals due to the highest number of stranded patients stuck in hospital beds awaiting Commonwealth-funded aged care placements and a late influenza season.

During the former Labor government's decade of decline which created Queensland's Health Crisis, multiple failed Health Ministers, including Steven Miles and Shannon Fentiman, allowed ambulance ramping to spiral out of control and the elective surgery waitlist to blow-out.

The Crisafulli Government is pulling every lever to reduce pressure on our emergency departments, with more doctors and nurses, more paramedics and ambulances, new and expanded transit lounges and dedicated mental health nurses in emergency departments, helping ease pressure.

The Crisafulli Government’s Hospital Rescue Plan, which has already delivered extra hospital beds and includes three new and 10 expanded hospitals, will also deliver the new hospital beds needed for now and the future after Labor failed to act and had no credible plan in place.

The Crisafulli Government is also delivering the Easier Access to Health Services plan, which includes rolling-out the largest free flu vaccination program in 2027 to help Queenslanders avoid preventable illness and to also help ease pressure on emergency departments.

The $31 million investment will see the expansion of the free flu vaccination program in 2027, a sharp contrast to the former Labor government who oversaw plummeting vaccination rates and failed to fund the 2025 program in its final Budget.

The 2027 roll-out will build on the success of this year's program by expanding FluMist eligibility for children aged two to 17, who struggle with needles, with vaccinations also available through more than 2,800 participating GPs, pharmacies and community vaccination providers across Queensland.

The 2026 Free Flu Vaccination Program saw 1.74 million Queenslanders vaccinated against influenza, coverage among children aged under five increased by 42%, while coverage of First Nations children aged under five increased by 62%, compared with 2025.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the Crisafulli Government was delivering health services when Queenslanders need them to reduce ambulance ramping and stabilise the elective surgery waitlist.

“With record demand on Queensland’s emergency departments, we know there’s more work to do, but we’re seeing steady improvements in the statewide ambulance ramping rate, including the lowest ramping during a September quarter in half a decade,” Minister Nicholls said.

“We are calmly and methodically healing Labor’s Health Crisis because the former Labor government failed to deliver the health infrastructure Queensland needed, which led to skyrocketing ambulance ramping and a ballooning elective surgery waitlist.

“We made it easier for Queensland families to access free flu vaccinations this year, and we’re building on this success next year with the largest free flu vaccination program in the country.

“The fully-funded Hospital Rescue Plan is delivering new and expanded hospitals across the State, with more than 2,600 new hospital beds, and health services when Queenslanders need them most to diagnose, treat and cure Labor's Health Crisis."

Queensland President of the Pharmacy Guild of Australia Chris Owen said community pharmacies played an important role in making flu vaccinations more accessible.

“Community pharmacies are often one of the most convenient places for Queenslanders to access healthcare, and continuing the free flu vaccination program means more people can protect themselves and their families without cost being a barrier,” Mr Owen said.

“With pharmacies located across metropolitan, regional and rural Queensland, pharmacists are well placed to help more Queenslanders get vaccinated ahead of next winter and reduce the risk of serious illness.”

Queensland Chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Queensland Dr Cath Hester said the continued program would help protect patients and reduce preventable illness.

“Influenza can cause serious complications, particularly for young children, older people and those living with chronic health conditions, which is why vaccination remains such an important part of preventive healthcare,” Dr Hester said.

“GPs know their patients and their individual health needs, and making influenza vaccination free helps families access protection early, while reducing the risk of avoidable hospital presentations during the busy winter months.”

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Emma Morton 0410 657 890