Health Data shows some key improvements, but there’s still more work to do

• Emergency departments continue to experience significant demand, with 571,324  presentations – 3,860 more than in the March 2022 quarter
• 100 per cent of category one patients presenting to EDs were still seen within clinically recommended times
• Hospitals performed 60 per cent more elective surgeries compared with the same period last year
• 173,865 patients were seen for an initial appointment at a specialist outpatient clinic

New quarterly data reveals that Queensland’s health system has performed almost 60 per cent more elective surgeries than the same quarter last year.

There were 36,641 elective surgeries performed, more than 13,500 more than last year.

However, the data also shows that Emergency Departments (EDs) continue to face high demand, with over 571,000 presentations statewide.

Despite this demand, and a 14 per cent increase in the presentations for life threatening injuries, public hospital EDs saw 100 per cent of category 1 patients within the clinically recommended timeframe.

More than 173,800 patients had their first specialist outpatient appointments.

New Health Minister, Shannon Fentiman, has listed her five key priority areas as addressing ED pressures, elective surgery wait times, pressures on the ambulance service, women’s health, and mental health.

Quotes attributable to the Minister of Health and Ambulance Services:

“While challenges remain, this data clearly shows that our health system is making steady improvements, particularly with regard to elective surgery.

“The almost 60 per cent increase in elective surgeries performed is a great result, and is vital if we are to bring the number of people on the waiting lists down.

“Our hard-working staff also ensured that every single category 1 presentation at an ED received the life-saving treatment they needed.

“The increase in presentations at EDs has also meant continued pressure on our ambulance service, with a slight decrease in patient off stretcher time data from 58% to 57%.

“However, I have been clear that addressing the issues facing our EDs and ambulance service is key focus of mine.

“The increase in the number of elective surgeries would not be possible without our government’s record investment since 2015, delivering 1,762 new beds and more than 21,000 doctors, nurses, midwives, allied health professions, and paramedics.

“Of course, there is always more to do, particularly to ease pressure on our EDs.

“That is why we are continuing to invest in our workforce and health infrastructure, including the $376.9 million Satellite Hospitals Program, and $9.78 billion to deliver three new hospitals and 11 hospital expansions.

“Since being sworn in as Health Minister, I have been meeting with our frontline health workers to hear from them directly about the pressures they face, and what more we can do to assist them.”

ENDS

Media contact: Phoenix Campbell - 0439 949 719