HIGHLIGHTS

Mr Horan said the highlights of DDHHS’s performance in 2013-14 included: • Delivered more health care services than contracted under its service agreement with the Department of Health • National Elective Surgery Targets (NEST) at Toowoomba Hospital performed 4796 elective surgery procedures, this was an increase of 24 per cent (934 procedures) than in 2012-13. • National Emergency Access Targets (NEAT) at Toowoomba Hospital achieving 81% for the month of June 2014 - with nearly 4/5 of patients being seen, treated and either discharged or admitted within four hours. • Across the HHS a waiting list of 6826 people waiting longer than clinically recommended for a general dental appointment, was reduced to zero by June 2014 • 4210 home visits were made across the DDHHS to new parents and babies under the Mums and Bubs program • A reduction of almost 34% in the specialist outpatients waiting list at Toowoomba Hospital. • The reintroduction of urology services at Toowoomba Hospital which resulted in 447 outpatients seen, 301 elective surgeries and 51 emergency procedures performed up to June 30, 2014. • Expansion of renal dialysis at Kingaroy Hospital – 50% increase means the service is now able to treat 18 patients, up from 12. • Increase in surgical activity at Warwick, Kingaroy and Dalby hospitals. • $1.2 million refurbishment of Stanthorpe Hospital Maternity Unit. • $0.36 million Palliative Care Suite and Quiet Room at Goondiwindi Hospital. • Increased use of Telehealth, allowing better access to specialist consultations, reducing travel for patients in rural and remote areas – Darling Downs leading the state in terms of numbers of telehealth consultations. • More than 9700 patients were given financial assistance for travel and accommodation under the Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme, valued at more than $6 million • Development of the 2013-23 Health Service Plan for the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Service • Design work under way on a new $9.76 million kitchen at Toowoomba Hospital • Announcement of planning for a $2 million expansion of Toowoomba Hospital Endoscopy Unit, which will double the unit’s capacity • Announcement of full-time medical imaging service for Goondiwindi and Warwick hospitals, with access for the first time to a CT scanner at Goondiwindi Hospital (due late 2014) • Construction started on new $11.6 million Community Care Unit (CCU) for recovering mental health consumers at Kearney Springs, Toowoomba. These achievements occurred in an environment of strong clinical governance and focus on safety and quality.