Health gets extra $1.2m to slash waiting lists
LONG waits for in-demand appointments with ear, nose and throat, urology and colorectal specialists will be slashed thanks to the provision of $1.2 million in extra funding.
The money comes from $8 million allocated to the Gold Coast by the Palaszczuk Government in an effort to help nearly 2000 locals.
Part of a $30 million pool Health Minister Cameron Dick made available to health services across the state to address waiting lists, the funding will be used to provide additional specialist outpatient appointments, perform additional elective surgery and increase access to endoscopic procedures.
Of Gold Coast Health’s $8 million share, more than $1.2 million will be used to expedite care for people waiting longer than clinically recommended.
As of May 1 there were 2032 referrals to see an ENT, with the earliest referral received February 2013.
Mr Dick, who is to visit the Coast today and will be a judge at Gold Coast Health’s annual staff innovation competition, said the injection of funds would make a huge difference to the lives of those patients.
“Because this money is going to frontline services, it not only means these people will be seen quicker but also have clarity sooner,” he said.
“At the start of this month almost 750 Category 2 and 3 patients had been waiting longer than clinically recommended for an ear, nose and throat outpatient appointment at Gold Coast Health.”
Gold Coast Health chief executive Ron Calvert said the funding injection would allow the service to explore longterm sustainable solutions.