Elective surgery output on the rise as ED wait times fall

The number of people receiving elective surgery in Queensland public hospitals increased during the September 2022 quarter with Emergency Department (ED) response times also improving, according to the latest health performance data.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Yvette D’Ath said the encouraging improvements were a testament to Queensland Health’s dedicated workforce and the Palaszczuk Government’s increased funding and resources for health.

“During the September 2022 Quarter, elective surgery procedures in Queensland public hospitals increased by two per cent, with 33,016 procedures carried out,” the Minister said.

“This builds on the strong elective surgery performance from the June 2022 Quarter, which saw a 40 per cent increase in activity.

“Almost 90 per cent of the most urgent category 1 elective surgery patients were seen within clinically recommended times.

“The improving elective surgery performance we are seeing came during a period when our hospitals were heavily impacted by the pandemic.

“Queensland public hospitals have recorded more than 300,000 staff days lost due to isolation and quarantine – and that’s just since March.

“On 31 July, Queensland’s public hospitals were inundated with 800 patients requiring hospitalisation for COVID-19 and the flu.

“At the same time, more than 1,400 staff were furloughed.”

Minister D’Ath said even with significant staffing impacts from COVID, the proportion of ED patients seen on time increased in the September quarter.

“During the September 2022 quarter there were 4,532 urgent Category 1 presentations in our EDs, an increase of 7.1 per cent on the previous quarter,” she said.

“Despite this increased volume, 100 per cent of Category 1 patients were seen by a clinician within two minutes of presenting to an ED for emergency care.

“Queensland Health continued to meet the national standards for median wait times (17 minutes) across all five presentation categories in the September quarter.

“Across all five categories, the proportion of ED patients seen within clinically recommended times during the September quarter increased by 1.4 per cent.”

During the September quarter there were 164,234 patients who received their initial specialist outpatient appointment.

“To see these improvements in hospital performance during a quarter heavily impacted by COVID and flu is encouraging,” the Minister said.

“I want to pay tribute to the outstanding efforts of our health and ambulance workers during this challenging period.

“The improvements are also the result of the Palaszczuk Government’s record health funding and the additional resources we have delivered to public hospitals through targeted initiatives including Care4Qld.

“Since 2015 we have hired more than 15,000 extra health workers and it’s thanks to their efforts that so many Queenslanders are receiving quality health care.”

At a glance: Queensland Health Performance Data, September 2022 Quarter

• Emergency Department attendances – 556,360
• ED Patients seen within clinically recommended times – 69%
• Elective surgery procedures – 33,016
• Elective surgery patients treated within the clinically recommended time – 78.3%
• Patients who received their initial specialist outpatient appointment – 164,234

To view the September 2022 Quarter Queensland Health Performance Data, visit http://www.performance.health.qld.gov.au/

Media contact: Martin Philip 0407 675 008