Queensland public hospitals to set records in 2007

Queensland public hospitals are likely to set records in 2007 for numbers of patients treated in one year, Heath Minister Stephen Robertson said.

Mr Robertson said public hospital emergency departments should treat more than 900,000 patients in 12 months for the first time if the last quarter follows current trends.

Previous annual totals were 854,266 in 2006 and 685,934 in 2000.

“This year demand for free emergency treatment has continued to skyrocket due to a booming population and a lack of GPs in the community,” Mr Robertson said.

“That’s led to nearly a quarter of Queensland’s population coming through our emergency department doors in just 12 months.”

Mr Robertson said the first nine months of the year saw a total of 684,845 patients treated in EDs – an average of 76,000 a month.

“With one more quarter to go - three months to December – we should easily reach a total of 900,000 which is another clear testament to the increasing pressure put on our health system.

“In addition over the same period, our public hospitals delivered 31,672 babies which equates to 116 newborns a day, eclipsing our current daily average of 110.

“We also admitted 626,081 patients into hospital during the first nine months and this should easily exceed 800,000 by year’s end and set another annual record.

“I congratulate and thank our hardworking hospital staff who continue to treat record numbers of patients through our doors while also paying attention to safe, quality care.”

Mr Robertson said 2008 would not get any easier for Queensland’s health system however the State Government’s $10 billion Health Action Plan was making inroads.

“There are now record numbers of doctors, nurses and allied health professionals employed by Queensland Health and this is translating to better, quicker patient care,” he said.

“Next year’s priorities are to continue improving elective surgery waiting lists, continue rolling out Queensland’s largest ever health infrastructure program which includes three new tertiary hospitals, and develop a better community health sector to keep non-acute patients out of hospital.

“We will also work hard to build a co-operative partnership with the new Rudd Government, delivering solutions to deal with pressures from a growing and ageing population and increasing levels of chronic disease.”

As at November 30, 2007 Queensland Health employed:

·5,710 doctors    -    1,158 more than in June 2005

·25,798 nurses    -    3,887 more than in June 2005

·7,108 allied health professionals    -    1,302 more than in June 2005.

30 December,  2007

MEDIA: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185 or 0409 069 056