Health system in surplus delivering for Queenslanders

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick has welcomed the tabling of the Auditor-General’s report Hospital and Health Services: 2015-16 results of financial reports.

“The report reveals a health system that is continuing to deliver for Queensland, in the face of significantly increasing demand,” Minister Dick said.

“The report reflects the positive impact of the work Labor has done in government to restore the frontline services cut by the Newman-Nicholls Government.

“More doctors and nurses have been employed, record funding has been provided and patient safety is once again at the heart of our health system.”

The Queensland Audit Office (QAO) report notes that activity delivered by HHSs increased by 8% in 2015-16, with a 3.1% increase in the number of elective surgeries performed.

In 2015-16, 78.4% of emergency department presentations were seen within the clinically recommended four hour time frame – despite an increase of 50,000 presentations.

Minister Dick said in 2015-16, the Palaszczuk Government provided an additional $361.2 million to tackle the significant number of people waiting longer than clinically recommended for an outpatient appointment.

“When we came to office, the number sitting on this ‘waiting list for the waiting list’ was over 104,000. By June 30, 2016, that number had fallen to 58,436. By November 30, it had fallen to 53, 641 – a decrease of over 48%,” he said.

“Despite this rising demand, we have also been able to deliver a system-wide surplus of $51 million.

“It is also important to recognise the challenges we face – including the increasing demand driven by an ageing population.

“One of the biggest threats to service delivery is the Commonwealth Government’s determination to walk away from its funding responsibilities to mental health, dental, aged care and hospitals.”

Mr Dick said Hospital and Health Services are Independent Statutory Authorities under the Hospital and Health Boards Act and are accountable for the financial management of their budgets.

“The deficit recorded in the Auditor General’s report largely reflects the reinvestment of retained earnings, as Boards made the decisions to utilise retained earnings from previous years,” he said.

“Annual Reports approved by the Auditor General also show that collectively Hospital and Health Services have a surplus balance of $310.4M as at June 30, 2016.

“In three HHSs – Cairns, North West and Wide Bay - the Department of Health is working with the HHSs to bring their budgets back into balance.

“The Auditor General’s report provides reassurance to Queenslanders that the health system is rising to the challenges confronting it and continuing to deliver high quality health services in a financially prudent and sustainable way.”

ENDS

Media contact: Michelle Wellington 0437 323 834