Ros Bates slams ‘unacceptable’ wait times at Gympie Hospital
“The Health Minister needs to explain to locals why standards are slipping and how she plans to fix it.”
Gympie
Don't miss out on the headlines from Gympie. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates has slammed "unacceptable" waiting times for patients at Gympie Hospital, pointing to a slide in Ambulance ramping according to Queensland Health data.
READ MORE
*Why Gympie GPs are ringing alarm bells about region's future
*81yo old woman loses fight to inherit Gympie man's $1.6m estate
*Gympie Council to remove fee-waiving powers from staff
Ms Bates' criticism of the hospital's performance came after statistics for the December 2020 quarter showed 30 per cent of patients had been "ramped" in Gympie, up seven per cent on the year before.
The data also revealed 24.6 per cent of Gympie region Emergency Department patients were apparently not treated within recommended time frames.
Ms Bates called on Health Minister Yvette D'Ath to explain "why standards are slipping".
"It's unacceptable that 30 per cent of patients taken to Gympie Hospital in an ambulance are forced to wait longer than the recommended time frame, while a quarter of patients have the same treatment in the Emergency Department," Ms Bates said.
BONUS: Activate your free Courier Mail subscription for big rewards
"The Health Minister needs to explain to locals why standards are slipping and how she plans to fix it.
"As a nurse, I know how exhausting it can be for doctors and nurses working long hours under immense pressure on the frontline.
"Hospital staff across Queensland are sick of being ignored by the state government and their refusal to properly resource our hospitals.
"Gympie residents deserve a world class health system, not second-rate healthcare."
Ms Bates said Ms D'Ath must "urgently" visit the Gympie Hospital to "outline her plan to improve wait times".
Last week it was revealed there was also growing concern among local GPs that Gympie is headed for a private health care nightmare due to difficulties attracting more doctors to private practice in the region.
Originally published as Ros Bates slams ‘unacceptable’ wait times at Gympie Hospital
Inside US Navy’s largest missile sub during Brisbane visit
USS Ohio's sailors are breathing fresh air in Brisbane after joining the Talisman Sabre military exercise, as a rare tour reveals life inside America's most heavily-armed submarine. PICTURES
Liquidator appointed as Amity Affliction’s bitter split enters new stage
Australian metal band The Amity Affliction has brought in financial experts to untangle its business affairs while locked in a bitter trademark war with its ex-bassist.