THE LNP has again put the heat on the state government over the under-pressure healthcare system, as it is revealed Redland Hospital had one of the worst ramping rates in Queensland for the June quarter.
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath defended the system, saying it ranked among the world's best and all critical patients were seen within clinically recommended timeframes last financial year.
Data collected over three months to the end of June this year revealed 57 per cent of Redland Hospital patients remained on a stretcher longer than 30 minutes after arriving for emergency care.
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But all triage category one patients - which are those in an immediately life threatening situation - were seen within two minutes of arrival, meeting benchmarks.
LNP leader David Crisafulli said the government was losing control of the health system and ramping had hit unacceptable levels.
"Paramedics and nurses are spending too much of their shift in the back of an ambulance," he said. "They didn't sign up for that.
"The LNP has put solutions on the table including better triaging, more beds and the introduction of real-time data for emergency departments.
"Currently the state government's approach is failing to turn the Queensland health crisis around."
Ms D'Ath said stress on the system had to be acknowledged, with Covid adding another level of pressure.
"Last financial year our emergency departments saw 2.4 million patients," she said.
"That is up 321,000 patients, or 15.4 per cent on the previous financial year.
"Despite this significant increase, 100 per cent of our most critically sick and injured category one patients are seen within the clinically recommended time of two minutes in our hospitals."
Oodgeroo MP Mark Robinson said it should come as a major concern to patients and health staff that ramping stats were getting worse.
He said the issue had to be addressed urgently and needed to be a priority.
"Why are Don Brown, Kim Richards and Mick de Brenni not doing more collectively to remedy this appalling situation that has been ongoing and risking health outcomes for far too long?," he said.
"Redland Hospital currently has the equal second worst ramping record at 57 per cent, sharing the spot with the QEII Hospital with only Logan Hospital doing slightly worse at 58 per cent."
Ms D'Ath said more than 9000 new staff would be employed across the system over the next four years, including nurses and midwives, doctors and allied health professionals.
"That's in stark contrast to the LNP whose legacy while in power was to cut 4821 health workers, including 1800 nurses," she said.
Queensland's population grew by 68,200, or 1.3 per cent, in the year to September 2020.
It was the greatest increase of all Australian states and territories.
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