Funding to tackle surgery waiting lists

Queensland has welcomed $27.6 million in Commonwealth Government payments to tackle elective surgery waiting lists.

Health Minister Stephen Robertson and Treasurer Andrew Fraser said Queensland Health would use the funding to perform an additional 4,000 procedures.

“This is the renewed spirit of co-operation and collaboration in action between the Commonwealth and States,” Mr Robertson said.

“We’re now getting down to business by ending the blame game which has so often stifled Commonwealth-State relations in the past.”

Mr Fraser said today’s funding announcement was the first stage in a $600 million health reform program committed by the Rudd Government.

“This funding will target those patients waiting longer than clinically recommended for their elective surgery, particularly the most urgent categories, one and two,” he said.

“Through the State Government’s $10 billion Health Action Plan, we have already taken a number of steps to reduce long waits, including a significant investment to open additional hospital beds and provide additional surgical capacity.

“This funding will build on those efforts and ensure that we are treating as many patients as possible in our public health system.”

Mr Robertson said Commonwealth funding was conditional on quarterly reporting by the States however Queensland was already well advanced to fulfil that requirement.

“We already have the most comprehensive quarterly reporting of any state or territory, detailing emergency department activity, hospital admissions, elective surgery waiting list performance, outpatient services, clinical workforce recruitment and several other areas.

“On this basis, Queensland is in the best position to deliver on reporting requirements.”

Mr Robertson said the hospitals to receive additional funding for elective surgery will be determined by an analysis of spare surgical capacity in consultation with clinicians at hospitals.

“Among our waiting list initiatives already underway is Surgery Connect which is using private sector capacity to reduce ‘long wait’ patients,” he said.

14 January, 2008

MEDIA:

Health Minister’s Office: Joshua Cooney 3234 1185

Treasurer’s Office: Chris Taylor 0419 710 874