The state government has looked to deflect a hospital beds crisis to their federal counterparts, blaming a lack of funding for disability and aged care packages.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the federal government should fund 600 aged and disability care beds, which would free up hospital beds.
The state government has been under constant criticism for a looming health crisis, particularly in emergency departments.
Statistics published in MyCity Logan showed that Logan Hospital was perhaps the worst emergency department in the country when it came to converting patients in need to ward beds.
Some were forced to wait 24 hours or more for a bed.
“Just like every other state, Queensland public hospitals are experiencing unprecedented demand and this is being exacerbated by the Commonwealth’s unwillingness to properly fund public health services, along with aged and disability care,” Ms D’Ath said.
“The 80,000 aged care packages promised by the Morrison government aren’t enough to meet existing demand, let alone free up the almost 600 public hospital beds currently taken up by older Queenslanders and those with disabilities.
“Queensland is calling on the Morrison government to immediately fund aged and disability care packages for these 575 Queenslanders, which would significantly ease pressure on our busy public hospitals.”
