October Waiting list figures not hidden, not late.

Elective surgery waiting list statistics for the October quarter will be published as soon as Queensland hospitals have compiled their data, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today

“October 1 is the cut-off date for hospitals to start compiling their waiting list data for the previous three months (between 1 July and 1 October).

“Once individual hospitals have compiled their data, the results are sent to Queensland Health in Brisbane where they are collated into the statewide report that is published every three months.

“The process takes about 4 weeks and the Government always publishes the completed quarterly waiting list report as soon as it’s finished.

“For example, the waiting list report for the July quarter was published on August 2, 2006 while the October 2005 quarterly report was published on November 7, 2005.

“Mr Seeney and the Opposition play the same hide and seek game over waiting lists every quarter; knowing very well the data hasn’t been compiled yet.

“I just urge Mr Seeney to try and stay calm because the quarterly waiting list report will be published on time as usual,” he said.

MEDIA: Paul Lynch 3234 1190