Today’s report by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare into the state of our public hospitals is another damning indictment on Annastacia Palaszczuk’s health priorities.

LNP Shadow Minister for Health Ros Bates said that our public hospitals are bursting at the seams but Labor are more interested in wasting taxpayers money changing the names of hospitals.

“Our hospitals are literally bursting at the seams under Labor,” Ms Bates said.

“Elective surgery waiting times are blowing out despite a reduction in admissions.

“The median wait time for surgery has blown out from 32 to 40 days in the last year alone, an increase in every year since Annastacia Palaszczuk was elected, following a fall in the last year under the LNP.

“Our emergency departments are also overcrowded, which is impacting on patient care.

“Despite an increase under the LNP, once again the number of patients seen under 4 hours or less has decreased under Labor for the third successive year, to 72.1%.”

Ms Bates said that only 68% of emergency department patients are seen on time, which is below the national average.

“Our hard working nurses, doctors, paramedics and midwives need more help on the frontline to improve patient care,” Ms Bates said.

“As a nurse I know that this is a key reason why ambulance ramping has skyrocketed once again.

“Sadly, Annastacia Palaszczuk would rather waste taxpayers money changing the names of hospitals than providing better patient care.

“Labor are mismanaging our public health system and its impacting on patient care.

“They are wasting $256 million on an ICT project blowout when they could use this money to provide more beds and more resources on the frontline.

“The LNP have a plan to reduce elective surgery waiting times and improve emergency care for our sickest patients.

“Only Deb Frecklington and the LNP team will provide better care. That will always be our priority,” Ms Bates said.

Link to report – https://www.aihw.gov.au/news-media/media-releases/2018/december/waiting-times-for-emergency-department-and-electiv