Record number of elective surgery patients treated in June quarter

Preliminary figures show Queensland Health performed a record number of elective surgery operations in the June 2008 quarter, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said today.

Mr Robertson said the preliminary figures show over 32,400 Queenslanders received elective surgery in Queensland over the last three months.

“That’s 3,100 more than the previous record that was achieved in the September 2003 quarter, and nearly 7,800 more procedures than in the same quarter 10 years ago,” he said.

“This shows the benefit of the extra money that has been invested in elective surgery in our public hospitals, combined with our own initiative to fund public patients to receive their elective surgery in the private sector via Surgery Connect.

“As a result of this extremely strong performance in elective surgery over the last three months, I expect to see a reduction in elective surgery waiting lists when final figures are published early next month.

“This is evidence that the Bligh Government’s $10 billion Health Action Plan is starting to make a real difference here in Queensland.”

Media: Martin Philip 3225 2680 or 0407 675 008