Media | State News

Labor ‘Miles away’ from fixing hospital crisis

10th January 2019

Embattled Health Minister Stephen Miles should immediately be sacked by Premier Annastacia Palasczcuk, as the health crisis across Queensland shows no signs of improvement.

LNP Deputy Leader and Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said images of patients jam-packed in the corridors of the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, are truly shocking.

“Our public hospitals are literally bursting at the seams and Labor’s promised upgrades are years away from completion,” Mr Mander said.

“When the LNP left office, ramping was at 15 per cent across the state – it’s now up to a staggering 24 per cent under the Labor Palaszczuk Government.

“Premier Palaszczuk and the Minister are more interested in wasting millions of dollars of tax payers money on changing hospital names, rather than putting the health and wellbeing of Queenslanders first.

“If the Annastacia Palaszczuk had any respect for Queenslanders she would immediately remove Stephen Miles from the health portfolio.

“He is out of his depth, clearly not up to it and is amateur at best.”

Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said hospital staff and paramedics would be under immense stress dealing with the ramping crisis.

“As a former Emergency Department nurse, I know that staff morale would be extremely low and resources stretched the limit,” Ms bates said.

“We are only into the second week of 2019 and already Labor has an unfolding disaster on its hands and it’s up to the Health Minister to front up and explain how he intends to fix this mess.”

Ramping isn’t the only issue affecting Queenslanders with shocking figures revealing parking costs at hospitals are through the roof, leaving many people coughing up more money to seek treatment or visit loved ones.

The Royal Brisbane and women’s hospital recorded a nine per cent increase in car park revenue, while hospitals in Toowoomba, Ipswich and North Queensland also raked in more money at the expense of patients and their families.

Ms Bates said Steven Miles should be putting patient care and helping vulnerable Queenslanders ahead of increased profits.

“Only the LNP has a plan for more beds in emergency departments, improve resources, decrease ramping numbers and make hospital parking affordable,” Ms Bates said.

“Again this Labor government is so out of touch and this latest hospital crisis is nothing short of appalling.”

Worst Ramping Hospitals in Queensland

  • Redland Hospital 46%
  • Logan Hospital 44%
  • QEII Hospital 36%
  • Princess Alexandra Hospital 35%
  • Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital 34%
  • Robina Hospital 33%
  • Gold Coast University Hospital 31%
  • Caboolture Hospital 29%
  • Sunshine Coast University Hospital 27%
  • Cairns Hospital 21%