News
14 December, 2024
'$12bn health services hole' says LNP
The LNP has claimed that the former Labor Government left more than $12 billion in health services and programs unfunded or underfunded in the budget.
The LNP has claimed that the former Labor Government left more than $12 billion in health services and programs unfunded or underfunded in the budget.
According to the LNP, key initiatives such as efforts to reduce ambulance ramping, provide birthing services in Weipa, fund the Health Ombudsman’s operations, and deliver sexual assault services at Queensland hospitals were not adequately funded by the previous Labor Government.
The LNP argues that the Labor Government allocated billions of dollars less funding to Queensland Health than what was necessary to deliver the promised health services to Queenslanders.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls has stated that Labor’s alleged failure to properly resource and manage the health system contributed to the ongoing Queensland Health Crisis.
“The Crisafulli Government will fix Labor’s mistakes, address cost blowouts, and work towards delivering world-class health services for Queenslanders,” Minister Nicholls said.
He further claimed that Labor’s inability to fund essential health services left the system at risk, and the Crisafulli Government is now stepping in to ensure Queenslanders receive the necessary health care.
Minister Nicholls also pointed to an ongoing crisis in the health sector under Labor’s leadership, asserting that the previous government failed to meet the health needs of Queenslanders and did not adequately plan for future health workforce requirements.
To address these issues, the Crisafulli Government is reportedly working directly with local health and hospital services to secure more frontline health workers, including doctors, nurses, paramedics, and other clinicians, across the state.
Additionally, the LNP has indicated that the government is beginning the rollout of the Better Health, More Services plan, which includes real-time health data to improve transparency in Queensland hospitals.
