Editorial: Festering issue minister couldn’t keep out of the headlines

Shannon Fentiman was supposed to get hospital and ambulance failings out of the headlines, yet ramping is still painfully visible, writes the editor.

The besieged state of our health system has been laid bare in our report today of the reviews into the tragic deaths of two Queenslanders and the “negative impact” on another.

Ambulance delays were noted in all three case reports – obtained through Right to Information laws – but it is the details of the external pressures that caused these delays that has pulled back the curtain on what is often happening whenever you call triple-0.

In the first case Queensland Ambulance Services was “experiencing demand pressures with emergency incidents outstanding in the community” and “prolonged delays”.

In another the Toowoomba Base Hospital was at escalation level one and the clinical hub had “increased workload”.

Ironically this is the same hub established during Covid to ease ambulance pressures.

The third case revealed that four hospitals were on level-three escalation, with delays of more than six hours to offload ambulance patients at a time when there was “extensive and sustained pressure” across the Metro South Hospital and Health Service throughout the week.

It is direct and irrefutable evidence that ramping is directly contributing to inadequate performance of the core task of the ambulance service – saving lives in an emergency.

While it would be up to a coroner to determine if anything more could have been done to change the outcomes for the patients whose incidents were reviewed, it is clear that every time you call triple-0 what has been happening at your nearest hospital in the hours or days before could determine how quickly help arrives.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman on Sunday. Picture: Lachie Millard

The QAS clinical hub has been helping ease the pressure and uncertainty of cases by offering a phone or video call-back service to monitor the health of patients waiting for ambulances, and advising whether alternatives to emergency care are more appropriate.

There are times when it even advises patients to consider seeking alternative transport to hospital if it is safe to do so.

Now the state government is quick to say that Queensland is the only mainland state to offer ambulance services free of charge, but of course there is a cost.

The current demand for services has been described as relentless, with patients – and no doubt call takers, emergency medical dispatchers and on-road paramedics – feeling the physical, mental and emotional toll.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman’s insertion into the poison chalice portfolio last May was aimed at getting hospital and ambulance failings out of the headlines.

Yet the most visible symptom of a system straining under the pressure is still ramping.

Solving the issue is a feat the conga line of Ms Fentiman’s predecessors, including outgoing Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath and Premier Steven Miles himself, has struggled with.

What is evident is that QAS staff are doing the best they can with the resources they have.

These frontline heroes are really a key reason the system is functioning at all.

But they deserve better from their minister and their Premier.

And it is now clearly past time to fix this festering sore of an issue before the state election in October – when health failures will be on voters’ minds.

ORIGIN IS OVER, LET’S CHEER ON QLD

It might not make up for the heartbreak of losing the State of Origin series, but many Queensland sports fans have a renewed spring in their steps this morning.

On Saturday, in Newcastle, the Brisbane Broncos snapped their six-game losing streak to beat the Knights and keep their finals chances alive, for another week at least.

The victory coincided with the return of captain and playmaker Adam Reynolds and if he stays fit who knows what is possible for last season’s runners-up.

Just as importantly, talisman Reece Walsh returned to the sort of spectacular form Broncos fans expect after a lacklustre Origin series – albeit after he was brutally knocked out in the opening match.

Then yesterday the Brisbane Lions made a massive statement in the AFL, knocking off runaway ladder leader Sydney by just two points in front of 33,924 fans at the Gabba.

After a sleepy start to the season, the Lions have roared back to life in recent weeks, finishing the round in third spot on the ladder.

With a relatively easy run home the Lions could secure a top-two spot and home-ground advantage for the AFL finals.

And lets not forget the Dolphins and Cowboys – well in the NRL finals mix, as are the Suns in the AFL.

Go Queensland!

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details here

Originally published as Editorial: Festering issue minister couldn’t keep out of the headlines