Health action plan
Summary of key actions and achievements
Queensland is building the best health system in Australia through a five-year, $10 billion Health Action Plan.
Better resourcing and better budget management lie at the heart of the Health Action Plan with Queensland Health recruiting more staff, opening more beds and developing the infrastructure needed to manage the demands of a growing and ageing population and the epidemic of chronic diseases now and into the future.
This financial year the Government delivered a record health budget of $7.15 billion to continue driving reforms and improvements to Queensland's health system in 2007-08.
The increased budget is funding a record number of doctors and nurses within Queensland Health and is providing more funds for:
- emergency departments — $280.3 million
- elective surgery — $259.7 million with the establishment in 2007-08 of Surgery Connect to improve access to elective surgery for public patients who have extended waiting times for surgery
- intensive care units — $229.8 million with a further $17.8 million in 2007-08 to operate 19 additional neonatal intensive care cots
- cancer services — $463.7 million
- cardiac services — $210.9 million
- mental health — $201 million with a further $51.6 million in 2007-08 ($353.5 million over four years) to implement the Queensland Mental Health Strategic Plan 2007-2017
- maternity services — $52 million
- renal services — $44.5 million
More doctors, nurses and allied health professionals
In June 2005 Queensland Health employed 4552 medical staff. By June 2007 this jumped to 5601 medical staff, an increase of 1049 or 23 per cent, exceeding the Health Action Plan target of 300 by 250 per cent.
In June 2005 there were 21,911 nurses. By June 2007 that jumped to 25,371 nurses, an increase of 3460 or 16 per cent.
In June 2005 there were 5806 allied health and other professionals. By June 2007 that had risen to 7019, an increase of 1213 or 21 per cent.
Improving quality of care
Queensland health is committed to continually improving the quality and safety of care in Queensland's public health system. It is also committed to being an open and transparent organisation that is fully accountable for the services it provides. This openness includes the regular publication of waiting times for elective surgery and specialist outpatient services.