- 74 patients have been stranded on the Sunshine Coast, urgently waiting for tailored care placements to be delivered by the Australian Government.
- Australian Government urged to address funding shortfalls keeping patients in hospitals instead of in appropriate care.
- Federal Government's stranded patients leaving Sunshine Coast Hospitals under pressure and delaying access to specialist health services when Queenslanders need them.
The Queensland Government is calling on the Australian Government to urgently meet its responsibilities to Queenslanders waiting for aged care placements and National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) assistance on the Sunshine Coast, after revelations stranded patients are waiting in Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service (HHS).
Through no fault of their own, 74 stranded patients are occupying beds in Sunshine Coast HHS facilities, including 25 younger and 49 older patients, who have been medically cleared for discharge but remain in hospital.
A funding shortfall from the Australian Government has left the patients without suitable care options and languishing in hospital beds.
The Queensland Government is doing everything it can to ensure patients receive the healthcare they need and deserve, however funding for the NDIS and aged care is primarily the responsibility of the Australian Government.
These older patients cost the health system $1.91 million every day - costs that should rightly be met by the Commonwealth and a further 290 younger NDIS patients are also awaiting discharge, adding $660,000 per day.
The HHS provides public hospital and health services to a population of about 492,000 people on the Sunshine Coast, making every hospital bed valuable.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the Crisafulli Government was doing its part to strengthen Queensland's health system for the future.
"We are committed to improving access to healthcare across Queensland, reducing ambulance ramping, and increasing life-changing elective surgeries," Mr Nicholls said.
"As part of our Hospital Rescue Plan, we are delivering more than 2,600 new hospital beds across three new and 10 expanded hospitals, as well as new and upgraded health facilities across Queensland.
"While we are seeing the elective surgery wait list decrease and important progress on our Plan, there is much more to be done to restore health services when you need them, and we remain committed to delivering the fresh start we promised."
Sunshine Coast Health Clinical Service Director Dr Nicholas Gray said hospitals played a vital role in providing care when patients are acutely unwell.
"It is important that people are discharged as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so," Dr Gray said.
"Staying in hospital longer than necessary can expose patients to risks including reduced mobility, or loss of independence.
"Returning home, or to a community setting supports recovery by allowing patients to reconnect with their usual routines, family, and support networks. It also ensures that hospital beds and staff are available for others who need urgent care.
"Timely discharge is about supporting the best outcomes for patients while maintaining a health system that can respond quickly and effectively to the needs of the whole community."
