Patients are being kept on ambulance stretchers instead of receiving care in hospital beds as ramping rates surge under Annastacia Palaszczuk.
Queensland Health data for July revealed the statewide ambulance ramping rate had jumped to 28 per cent – the worst monthly performance result of Labor’s latest term in power.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said the alarming increase in ambulance ramping was a sign of a health system in crisis under the Palaszczuk Labor Government.
“The rate patients are being stranded on stretchers before they are treated is disgraceful,” Ms Frecklington said.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk has created a driveway health service where ambulance stretchers are used like hospital beds.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government is failing patients and it’s failing our health staff.
“Annastacia Palaszczuk promised better health services at the last state election but they are clearly getting worse.
“Queensland needs more hospital beds and better planning for health service delivery.
“Labor’s record on health is skyrocketing ambulance ramping, massive bed shortages and cancelled surgeries.”
Ambulance ramping refers to the number of patients waiting longer than 30 minutes to be admitted to emergency care and transferred from ambulance stretcher.
LNP Shadow Minister for Health Ros Bates said the rate of ambulance ramping had increased from 20 to 28 per cent since the 2017 election.
“These aren’t just numbers in a spreadsheet – it’s your mum or your grandad or your son,” Ms Bates said.
“As a former ED nurse, I know our hard-working nurses, doctors, and paramedics need more help on the frontline.
“Labor can’t deliver better services when they’ve cut the hospital building budget by $203 million this year.
“Only the LNP will fix the ramping crisis – just like we did before. The rate was only 15 per cent when the LNP left office.
“When it comes to better health services, you can’t trust Labor.”
