Queenslanders deserve real-time health data, as elective surgery performance worsens

THERE is renewed pressure on the State Government to end the delays and release crucial health figures sooner, by adopting the LNP’s plan of real-time data monitoring.

It comes after Palaszczuk Government quarterly data for September revealed a staggering 23% annual increase in the number of patients not seen within the clinically recommended time for elective surgeries at the Rockhampton Hospital.

Shadow Minister for Open Data Brent Mickelberg said 38% of patients aren’t seen on time in Rockhampton.

“These are damning figures that have been kept hidden by the Palaszczuk Government,” Mr Mickelberg said.

“Instead of admitting there is a problem with elective surgery performance at the Rockhampton Hospital, the Health Minister delayed the release of these figures in the hope the issue would simply go away.

“Yvette D’ath also previously stated that data needs to be ‘cleansed’ before being released.

“After three terms in office the State Government is more interested with how things look than how they are.

“Queenslanders can’t trust the Health Minister to fix the health crisis.”

Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said the State Government has destroyed the health system.

“Our emergency departments are packed, waiting lists are getting longer, the waitlist-for-the-waitlist has reached alarming levels, bed block is back, ambulance bypass has returned, and Queenslanders are dying waiting for an ambulance or a hospital bed,” Ms Bates said.

“The LNP has other solutions on the table including more beds, improving triaging, and giving power back to local doctors and nurses.

“Right now, patients and doctors in New South Wales and South Australia can go online and see live updates of how each hospital is performing.

“The State Opposition is committed to making that happen in Queensland.

“As a nurse and former hospital administrator, I know how beneficial real-time data is for patients and doctors to make informed choices.

“The Labor Government would rather release health data months after it has been collected.

“Queenslanders deserve better.”