Health Minister Cameron Dick said the money would fund 10,000 extra outpatient appointments, more than 2000 additional inpatient procedures and 5000 extra endoscopies. Picture: Adam Armstrong Source: News Corp Australia
THE State Government will spend $30 million set aside to tackle the public health ‘waiting list for the waiting’ on 10,000 new specialist appointments and thousands of endoscopies and inpatient procedures.
Health Minister Cameron Dick recently announced the state had found $30 million in unallocated Purchasing Pool funds that would be used to reduce the number of Queenslanders waiting for their outpatient specialist appointment.
On Wednesday, Mr Dick said that money would fund 10,000 extra outpatient appointments, more than 2000 additional inpatient procedures and 5000 extra endoscopies.
He said the extra services would be made available before the next financial year.
“This is money going to frontline services so that people currently on a waiting list can be seen quicker,” Mr Dick said in a statement.
“We’re addressing this as a matter of priority. It’s a very complex area and providing extra money is only part of the answer, but it’s a part we can play.”
The Health Minister also said he would spend today speaking with health professionals as part of roundtable to address waiting lists.
Participating will Hospital and Health Board chairs, Hospital and Health Service chairs, doctors, surgeons and other health professionals.