Waiting list promise: just what doctor ordered

The guarantee promises those waiting for urgent elective surgery operations within a month, semi-urgent cases in 90 days, and non-urgent cases within a year.

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said he was able to make the promise without increasing hospital staff, doctors, or the number of hospital beds.

He said under the new system, proven to work in Scandinavia, it was expected nobody would be waiting longer than the guaranteed time frames after January.

In September, there were 531 long-wait patients, down 91 per cent from 2012, when there were 6485 patients who had waited longer than medically recommended.

Capalaba MP Steve Davies said the guarantee meant those on elective surgery waiting lists may not be treated at Redland Hospital and may be sent to a private hospital, paid for by the government.

"If the Redland Hospital cannot cope with these elective surgeries, people from Redlands may be sent to other public hospitals in the area such as Logan or the PA Hospital - or even a private hospital," Mr Davies said.

"But some may be sent to other private hospitals in the north of Brisbane - but the transport and accommodation costs would be paid for by the government.

"Years ago, my mum had to wait four years for a cataract operation so I know how much this promise means to many families."

Cleveland MP Mark Robinson said Queensland had the second highest increase of elective surgery admissions in Australia but had cut cochlear and dental waiting lists this year.

However, Mr Robinson said at present just 1.67 per cent of patients were not getting surgery in the medically recommended time.