A SPECIALIST waiting list blowout has hit Townsville, as the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s failure to properly plan, resource and run the health system deteriorates further.

New data from Queensland Health has revealed Townsville’s waiting-list-for-the-waiting-list recorded the largest increase in the state in the quarter to December.

Leader of the Opposition David Crisafulli said the huge 24% quarterly increase in Townsville was another damning indictment on the State Government.

“Behind the 17,818 patients waiting for their specialist appointment are stories of Townsville locals desperate for a better quality of life,” Mr Crisafulli said.

“I toured Townsville Hospital with Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates yesterday and met with our dedicated doctors and nurses.

“They are doing incredible work that all Queenslanders should me immensely proud of.

“Queenslanders are waiting months, if not years to see a specialist for their damaged knee, deteriorating eyesight or heart problems.

“The Opposition has put solutions on the table including better resourcing, improving triaging, real time data monitoring and giving power back to local doctors and nurses to run our hospitals.

“Just two days ago Queensland’s Auditor-General released a scathing report into the State Government’s health record.

“It revealed more than 100,000 Queenslanders were waiting longer than clinically recommended to see a specialist doctor. The surge in the waiting list locally, will mean many of them are Townsville residents.

“After eight years in office, this tired third term government have given up on listening to Queenslanders.”

Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said all Queenslanders deserve a world class health system no matter where they live.

“As a nurse and former hospital administrator, I know how frustrating it is for patients desperate to see a specialist,” Ms Bates said.

“I know our doctors, nurses and allied health professionals are doing everything within their power, but they’re being let down by a broken system.

“The embattled Health Minister can’t be trusted to fix the health system.

“After three terms in office, the Palaszczuk Labor Government has destroyed the health system.

“The specialist waiting list has soared by 32% because of the repeated failures from the State Government.

“Townsville patients deserve better.”