One in five Qld hospitals given lowest internal performance rating

Almost one in five Queensland hospital and health services have been given the lowest performance rating by the state’s health department. HOW YOUR HOSPITAL IS PERFORMING

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Almost one in five Queensland hospital and health services have been given the lowest performance rating by the state’s health department.

The ratings data – uncovered by the LNP through a parliamentary question on notice – has revealed less than half of the health services are receiving the top rating on the three-tiered performance system.

Hospital and health services can be given a rating by Queensland Health of “Performing”, which is the highest grade, followed by “Performance Support” and “Intensive Performance Support”.

Mackay’s hospital and health service was one of three to score the lowest rating of “Intensive Performance Support”. Picture: Liam Kidston

Of the state’s 16 hospital and health services, three of them – Metro South, Mackay, and Sunshine Coast – were sitting on the lowest rating of “Intensive Performance Support” as of November 30 last year.

The Central Queensland, Central West, Children’s Health Queensland, North West, West Moreton, and Wide Bay hospital and health services were sitting on a “Performance Support” rating.

The department gives the rating following formal meetings with each hospital and health service, where they are evaluated on a range of factors, such as fiscal management and key performance indicators.

A government spokesman said the performance and accountability framework was a way for Queensland Health to identify which hospital and health services needed extra support at a particular point in time, for any number of factors.

“It does not necessarily represent the level of care provided by a particular hospital,” the spokesman said.

“Voters want to see action and only the Palaszczuk Labor government has a record of investing in health infrastructure and staff.”

The board chairs of hospital and health services with an “Intensive Performance Support” rating must meet with the Health Minister to discuss the service’s performance and strategies.

And the chief executive of the service must also meet with the Queensland Health director-general on a monthly basis until it is determined that the service’s performance is under control.

Opposition spokesman for open data Brent Mickelberg said it was “alarming” that more than half of the hospital and health services were receiving the lowest two ratings.

“These are terrible scores for the Palaszczuk government,” he said.

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

“All Queenslanders deserve to know how their local hospital is performing.”