Queensland’s government has unveiled plans to tackle what it describes as a “broken” health system after a scathing audit report.
Record ambulance ramping, worsening waitlists and a $2 billion maintenance backlog were revealed in a Queensland Audit Office report, described by the new premier and health minister as one of the previous government’s worst legacies.
“As far as auditor-general reports go, it doesn’t get much more damning than this,” Premier David Crisafulli said, emphasising the government’s commitment to addressing the longstanding issues.
“If we don’t maintain the assets we have, it will cost Queenslanders far more in the years ahead,” he told media on Thursday.
An opposition spokesperson has defended the previous Labor government, saying the audit acknowledges “record investment, more frontline workers and more beds”.
A big maintenance backlog and growing wait times have been identified in the health system audit. (Dan Himbrechts/AAP PHOTOS)
The hospital maintenance backlog includes essential infrastructure such as air conditioning systems, operating theatres and cancer treatment equipment, according to the audit.
“There are air conditioning systems across the state that are 30 years past their use-by date,” Health Minister Tim Nicholls said, adding that failures in key equipment have already impacted patient care.
“Radiation oncology health technology at Metro South broke down 32 times in the past 12 months,” he said.
Operating theatres in regional areas have been forced to close after reverse osmosis systems failed to meet standards, the minister said.
Ambulance ramping is at its worst-ever rate of 44.7 per cent, with the audit identifying delays in transferring patients to emergency departments resulting in lost ambulance hours.
The government plans to reduce ramping to below 30 per cent by 2028.
“This isn’t going to be an overnight fix, but we are prioritising measures that will help patients move from ambulances to emergency care faster,” Mr Nicholls said.
Elective surgery waitlists have reached 64,171 patients, according to the report, in a 30 per cent increase over nine years.
To address this, the government has committed to stabilising elective surgery waitlists by October 2025.
“We are committed to ensuring more people get the surgeries they need,” he said.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls warns the problems will not be fixed overnight. (Jono Searle/AAP PHOTOS)
The mismanagement of satellite hospitals has led to confusion, with thousands of patients seeking emergency care at facilities not equipped for critical cases.
The government has pledged to rename satellite hospitals to accurately reflect the services they provide.
It is also introducing real-time hospital data reporting by February 2025 to provide greater transparency, the minister confirmed.
Mr Crisafulli also pledged to allocate funds appropriately.
“Every cent of the maintenance budget will be spent where it is needed,” he said.
“This report forms the basis for the work we will do to turn around a broken system.”