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These updates demonstrate Queensland’s commitment to expanding healthcare access and managing rising demand through strategic investment and innovative service delivery. Here are some recent updates in Queensland’s healthcare system:
- Record Health Budget: Queensland Health has dedicated a historic $28.9 billion for the 2024–25 budget, with significant funding for hospital and health services, infrastructure, and workforce expansion. Key initiatives include more than 4,000 new healthcare staff, virtual care advancements, and mental health programs. This budget supports improvements in emergency response, surgical wait times, and accessibility to specialized services for rural areas, particularly for First Nations and women’s healthcare
- Satellite Hospitals and ED Performance: New satellite hospitals across Queensland are helping to alleviate pressure on emergency departments (EDs), leading to a 12% reduction in non-urgent ED visits. Over 30,000 patients visited satellite facilities in the first quarter of 2024, improving accessibility to outpatient services and easing demand on nearby hospitals. Despite record-high ED presentations, Queensland hospitals managed to see and treat critical cases efficiently, maintaining national performance standards
- Increased Elective Surgeries: Queensland hospitals reported record elective surgeries, with over 36,000 performed in the first quarter of 2024. Nearly 80% of patients received surgery within recommended timeframes, which significantly reduced long wait times. Additionally, there has been a marked improvement in patient transfers from ambulances, despite increased emergency demands, underscoring the efficiency improvements made in the healthcare system