Brent Mickelberg slams WBHHS over performance record

A Queensland MP claims data proves the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service has suffered a “dramatic decline”. But the WBHHS has hit back at the accusations.

Shadow spokesman for open data Brent Mickelberg has hit out at what he says is proof of a falling standard at Bundaberg Hospital.

A Queensland MP has claimed proof the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service is caught up in a statewide “health crisis”.

Shadow data spokesman Brent Mickelberg released a statement on Thursday in which he said the latest performance ranking for the WBHHS showed a “significant slump” in less than a year.

The Queensland Health Performance and Accountability Framework performance ranking for the WBHHS has shifted from a level one (excellent) to level thee (unsatisfactory) since June, 2022.

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Mr Mickelberg said Queenslanders would be “alarmed” by the figures which he said showed many hospitals were at crisis level.

“It is alarming more than half of Queensland hospitals audited recorded a level three or four performance, which is the worst of the ratings,” he said.

“The Opposition shouldn’t have to use parliament to extract this vital response information for Queenslanders who deserve to know the truth.”

Burnett MP Stephen Bennett said Wide Bay residents deserved to know the reason for the “dramatic decline”.

“Sadly this result isn’t a surprise,” he said in a statement.

“This is not the fault of our hardworking doctors, nurses, paramedics, and allied health professionals.

“The blame lies with the Palaszczuk Government and their lack of planning over the last eight years.”

WBHHS CEO Debbie Carroll.

Mr Bennett said he fielded daily calls from concerned patients.

“After three terms in power the State Government has given up on listening to Queenslanders,” he said.

WBHHS CEO Debbie Carroll said the performance level was not an indicator of poor safety, quality or patient experience: “In fact, we meet all national safety and quality standards,” she said.

“Our performance has been influenced by a range of factors including the impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic, an increasing and ageing population and difficulty accessing affordable primary care.

“WBHHS has seen an increase in complex patients requiring our support, and we have striven to provide appropriate care while experiencing workforce challenges as staff were impacted by Covid-19 themselves.”

Ms Carroll said staff continued to work hard to triage, assess and care for patients as well as the “innovative” programs and processes that had been developed to address waiting times.

Bundaberg Hospital.

She says they are already having a positive impact.

“There has been a reduction in the number of patients waiting longer than expected to be transferred to our emergency departments in recent months and we are committed to continuing to improve on this,” she said.

“As we look to the future, WBHHS is growing our service to better meet the needs of our community.”

Ms Carroll said there were a number of projects in the pipeline aimed at improving patient outcomes.

“Future infrastructure projects, including the expansion of Hervey Bay Hospital, the new Bundaberg Hospital, the Fraser Coast Mental Health Inpatient Unit, and the refurbishment of wards at Maryborough Hospital, will allow for more beds, and therefore more patients can be cared for,” she said.

“We are continuing to work with our private and community partners and are committed to providing care closer to home, as much as is possible.”