Patients miss

NEW monthly emergency department data reveals 18 per cent of Cairns Hospital patients were not seen on time in December. The result was up 3 per cent on the previous year but still considerably lower than the 28 per cent state average. Queensland Opposition Leader Deb Frecklington said it meant 1103 patients were not seen on time. “Rather than wasting money changing the names of hospitals, our hard working nurses, doctors and midwives need more help on the front line,” she said.