OODGEROO MP Mark Robinson has called on local Labor MPs to demand the health minister fix ambulance ramping and corridor parking rates at Redland Hospital.
Mr Robinson’s comments come as November performance data released by Queensland Health showed that ambulance ramping at Redland Hospital was at 47 per cent for the month, up 12 per cent from the previous year.
“It’s frightening to see Redland Coast patients are stuck in ambulances longer than they should be, or being dumped in corridors because our hospital system is bursting at the seams under this state Labor government,” Mr Robinson said.
“Sadly, while Annastacia Palaszczuk’s priority is ditching the name of the Lady Cilento Children's Hospital, one out of every two Redlanders taken by ambulance to Redland Hospital are sitting in ambulances and being placed at higher risk.”
The lowest figures for the Redland Hospital were in the potentially life-threatening category. A total of 46 per cent of patients were seen within the recommended 30 minutes of arriving at the emergency department.
The total across five categories showed that 53 per cent of patients were seen within the clinically recommended times.
LNP leader Deb Frecklington called on the premier to sack Health Minister Steven Miles, saying the government had no plan to improve ramping.
“They’ve bungled the health IT system, ignored overcrowding, shut down regional maternity wards and haven’t done anything to reduce parking costs at public holidays,” Ms Frecklington said.
Opposition health spokeswoman Ros Bates said the government should put patients first.
“As a former emergency department nurse, I know how distressing it can be for patients stuck in an ambulance waiting for urgent treatment,” Ms Bates said.
“These aren’t just numbers.
“It’s your grandma with a broke hip or your child having an asthma attack,” she said.
The Health Minister’s office has been asked to respond.
