LNP delivers on Redcliffe dental

The number of Redcliffe patients waiting for dental care was reduced by almost 70 percent between February and December 2013.

Premier Campbell Newman said more than 4,700 dental vouchers were issued to Redcliffe patients to give them access to the treatment they needed.

“The voucher system has allowed public patients to receive treatment from private dentists for emergency, general or denture care,” Mr Newman said.

“It’s meant patients who had been waiting for two years or more are finally getting to see a dentist.

“Redcliffe is on track to completely clear the long wait list, with the final four patients having all now been offered care.

“Our government promised to revitalise frontline services for families and the vouchers are providing patients with the care they need sooner.”

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said the vouchers were issued by the local Hospital and Health Service.

“Vouchers were primarily given to people who had been on public dental waiting lists for long periods, or to those requiring urgent dental care,” Mr Springborg said.

“The former Labor Government left in excess of 100,000 Queenslanders on dental waiting lists, with more than 60,000 left to wait two years or more for treatment.

“This is just another example of Labor’s absolute failure to manage the health care system and provide treatment for those who need it most.

“These results complement other significant achievements at the Redcliffe Hospital since the LNP won the election.

“In November and December last year Redcliffe Hospital treated 100 per cent of urgent, Category 1 patients and in December cleared the urgent Category 1 ‘long wait’ list.

“Access to the emergency department has also improved by 20 percent. In March 2012 just 52 per cent of patients were seen within the recommended time frame – in December last year, that figure had risen to 73 percent.

“After years of Labor neglect, the LNP is also delivering a $12 million upgrade to wards and theatres at Redcliffe Hospital which had been left to fall into such a state of disrepair they were no longer safe to use.

“The figures don’t lie. We have seen significant progress as we work towards ensuring Queensland has the best free public health system in the country.”

[ENDS] 21 February 2014

Media Contact: Alexandra Foley 0419 794 294

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