There are serious questions about what the State Government has been doing to invest in more ICU beds since the COVID pandemic began.
Government data from a Parliamentary Question on Notice shows only six new ICU beds were funded in two years across the entire state.
Opposition Leader David Crisafulli said the LNP is asking the state government to clarify why it hasn’t committed to more permanent fully funded ICU beds.
“What has the State Government been doing for the past two years to prepare our hospitals in the event of a major COVID outbreak,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Former Health Minister Steven Miles and Yvette D’Ath should have been doing everything possible to boost resources, but instead they’ve gone backwards.
“Queenslanders rightly expect a whole lot better than six beds in two years.
“The State Government needs to be open and transparent with Queenslanders about our health system and tell us what the path out of the pandemic looks like.
“Queenslanders deserve to know our health system is ready for the future.”
Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said the Treasurer also cut a billion dollars from the health budget.
“That’s a billion dollars that could have been spent on a new hospital, more nurses and quite clearly more ICU beds across the state,” Ms Bates said.
“At a time when our hospitals have never been more crucial to the lives of Queenslanders, the State Government is ripping out a billion dollars.
“As a nurse and former hospital administrator, I know how stressful it can be for our frontline staff who are working under extreme pressure.
“More ICU beds will help ease the pressure on our hospitals.
“The LNP has put solutions on the table including improving triaging, more beds, real-time data monitoring of our emergency departments and empowering local health boards.
“The embattled Health Minister has some simple questions to answer.
“What’s the plan for our hospitals? How much more will she invest? And how will she support the doctors and nurses across Queensland who are stretched to the limit?”