Opposition Leader David Crisafulli has revealed the next Queensland Health Crisis Town Hall will be held in Mackay on Thursday.
It comes after an investigation was launched into Mackay Base Hospital amid allegations of patient harm which forced the suspension of a doctor.
Mr Crisafulli said there were serious concerns about the state of the local hospital and he was determined to shine a light on these issues.
Mackay locals have been reaching out to the LNP to bring the Health Crisis Town Hall to Mackay.
“The Mackay community desperately wants a Health Crisis Town Hall and we’ve answered the call,” Mr Crisafulli said.
“Our Health Crisis Town Halls are uncovering the true state of the Queensland Health Crisis with patients and frontline health professionals bravely sharing their stories.
“An investigation was launched into Caboolture Hospital after patients revealed their health horror stories to us.
“We are getting results for locals who’ve been stuck on a surgery waitlist or have been the victim of a botched surgery.
“By speaking up, you can make a difference.
“We have put genuine solutions on the table such as real-time data monitoring for emergency departments, more beds, improving triaging and empowering the frontline staff to make local decisions.”
Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates will also be in attendance.
“As a nurse and former hospital administrator, I know how stressful it can be for our dedicated frontline staff who are over worked and under resourced,” Ms Bates said.
“We want to hear from doctors, nurses, surgeons, patients and family members who’ve had a bad experience with the health system.
“The State Government is losing control of the health system.
“By working together, we can force change.
“All Queenslanders deserve a world class health system no matter where they live.”
LNP Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm said health services across the region were deteriorating.
“Ambulance ramping has increased, surgery waitlists have blown out and patients are waiting longer in emergency departments,” Ms Camm said.
“The LNP will not stop fighting for better health care.
“We will take the stories from the Health Crisis Town Hall in Mackay and take them to the floor of Parliament and pressure the State Government into action.”
The LNP has hosted Queensland Health Crisis Town Halls throughout the year in Cairns, Rockhampton, Hervey Bay, The Sunshine Coast, Caboolture, Redcliffe, Brisbane, and the Gold Coast.
Queensland Health Data:
Ambulance Ramping:
- % Point Increase since June 2020 = 6.4%
| Facility | Hospital & Metric | Jan-21 | Feb-21 | Mar-21 | Apr-21 | May-21 | Jun-21 | Jul-21 |
| Mackay Hospital | Ambulance Ramping % | 27 | 24 | 28 | 27 | |||
| Longest Patient Wait Time on Hospital Ramp (hrs) | 3.4 | 3.3 | 2.5 | 5.2 | 4.4 | 3.3 | 4.1 |
Emergency Department: (June Quarter 2021)
- 14% of patients are not seen on time in the Emergency Department
Elective Surgery Waiting: (June Quarter 2021)
- 1,535 People waiting for elective surgery
- 16.7% of elective surgery patients will not get their surgery in the recommended timeframe
Waiting List for the Waiting List: (June Quarter 2021)
- 7,516 people waiting on the Waiting List for the Waiting List (Specialist Outpatients)