Urgent reform called for as patient care, hospital infrastructure and cybersecurity worsensFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesSign up for Guardian Australia’s free weekly media newsletter hereQueensland’s health system is in need of urgent reform after years of systemic breakdowns across infrastructure, cybersecurity and patient care, a new audit has revealed.The Queensland Audit office’s latest report highlights a sector facing critical challenges with mounting costs, worsening wait times and underwhelming performance on preventable hospital admissions.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading…Urgent reform called for as patient care, hospital infrastructure and cybersecurity worsensFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesSign up for Guardian Australia’s free weekly media newsletter hereQueensland’s health system is in need of urgent reform after years of systemic breakdowns across infrastructure, cybersecurity and patient care, a new audit has revealed.The Queensland Audit office’s latest report highlights a sector facing critical challenges with mounting costs, worsening wait times and underwhelming performance on preventable hospital admissions.Sign up for Guardian Australia’s breaking news email Continue reading…
Queensland’s health system is in need of urgent reform after years of systemic breakdowns across infrastructure, cybersecurity and patient care, a new audit has revealed.
The Queensland Audit office’s latest report highlights a sector facing critical challenges with mounting costs, worsening wait times and underwhelming performance on preventable hospital admissions.
The backlog of hospital maintenance has blown out to $2bn, a 40% increase in just one year.
The report warns this figure is likely underestimated.
“The high level of deferred maintenance means it is likely the condition of health facilities is worsening,” the report states.
Cybersecurity risks have also doubled, with 13 control deficiencies identified, compared to seven the previous year.
Among them are inadequate passwords controls and delayed removal of access for terminated staff.
The report describes these weaknesses as particularly concerning as the health sector has been identified as one of the most vulnerable to cyber-attacks in Australia.
Waiting times for specialist outpatient services is the worst in nine years, with Queensland also ranking seventh out of eight states for preventable hospital admissions.
“Despite more outpatients being treated than ever before, Queensland Health has not met its time-related targets,” the report states.
Adding to the pressure are longstanding deficiencies in procurement processes.
The report uncovered misuse of corporate cards and non-compliance with contract management policies, warning “a lack of enforcement of the terms of a contract.”
While these findings paint a damning picture, there were signs of progress for the Miles government between 2023 and 2024.
Workforce growth saw an additional 6259 health staff employed in what was seen as a tough labor market.
Infrastructure spending also delivered 2200 additional beds under the Capacity Expansion Program.
Despite these gains, the audit underscores the urgent need for sweeping reforms to restore Queensland’s health system.
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