MORE Central Queenslanders have been added to the elective surgery waitlist, in another sign the health crisis is getting worse.
The latest Queensland Health figures* show a drastic increase of 331 patients in the December quarter.
Rockhampton Hospital now has 2128 people on the elective surgery waitlist, and 25.5% of them aren’t treated on time.
That is an increase of 14.5% from last quarter.
Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said it’s completely unacceptable that more than a quarter of all patients in Rockhampton aren’t seen on time.
“These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet, this is your grand mother who needs a hip replacement or your father who needs a shoulder reconstruction,” Ms Bates said.
“An extra 331 patients on the elective surgery waitlist in Rockhampton is the biggest rise in regional Queensland.
“The State Government needs to listen and accept there is a Queensland Health crisis.
“The LNP has put solutions on the table including more resources, more beds, real time data monitoring and putting local doctors and nurses in charge instead of bureaucrats in Brisbane.
“Patients have reached out to us to explain their surgeries have been cancelled multiple times.
“As a nurse and former hospital administrator, I know how heartbreaking it is for patients to be told, sometimes on the day of their surgery, that it won’t be proceeding.
“All Queenslanders, no matter where they live deserve a world class health system.”
LNP Candidate for Callide Bryson Head said locals from areas including Biloela rely on the Rockhampton Hospital.
“The hundreds of people added to the elective surgery waitlist has a flow on affect for many towns,” he said.
“The State Government needs to invest in regional health to reduce these long waitlists.
“Our hardworking doctors and nurses are doing everything they can to keep the health system on the rails, but aren’t getting any respect from the State Government.”
| Hospital | Waiting List | % Patients not treated on time | Increase in waiting list from Dec qtr. 2022 | % Increase in patients not seen on time from Dec Qrt 2022 |
| Rockhampton | 2,128 | 25.5 | 331 | 14.5 |