EXTRAORDINARY wait times for Queenslanders waiting to see a specialist in 2023 are set to continue under the Palaszczuk Government with damning statistics revealing how far the health system has deteriorated under Labor.
New Queensland health figures have exposed a substantial increase in the number of Queenslanders waiting longer than clinically recommended for a specialist appointment between June 2021 to September 2022.
The numbers reveal thousands of patients are caught up in the logjam waiting for appointments including for Orthopaedic, Ophthalmology, Gastroenterology; and Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist appointments.
Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said the number of Queensland patients waiting longer than clinically recommend to see a specialist has absolutely exploded.
“Increases of 242% for an ENT appointment and 121% to see a urologist is completely unacceptable,” Ms Bates said.
“These aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet, these are Queenslanders fighting pain while waiting for an appointment.
“Over their eight years the Palaszczuk Government has destroyed the health system.
“The embattled Health Minister says one thing publicly, but, in reality, the health system is in crisis.
“As a nurse and former hospital administrator, I know how frustrating it is for patients waiting months, if not years to see a specialist.
“Our hard-working doctors and specialists are working to the brink of exhaustion to keep the health system on track.
“After three terms in office, the State Government has given up on listening.
“Queenslanders deserve better.”