The chief executive of the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service says its performance, which received the lowest rating in an annual report card, has been affected by various circumstances.
The SCHHS was placed by Queensland Health in the bottom level of the Performance and Accountability Framework for the fourth year running.
The criteria included safety, quality and patient experience; organisational and financial stability; delivery of performance expectations and key investment priorities; and service agreement delivery.
The SCHHS was among two services in Queensland to be placed in ‘intensive performance support’ for the year to June 30, 2022, and it was the only service among 16 in the state to be in the bottom tier since 2019.
It remained at the bottom level as of November 30 last year.
SCHHS chief executive Dr Peter Gillies said it was “continuing to provide excellent care for our community despite major challenges in recent years”.
“Our performance has been influenced by a range of factors, including the construction, and opening of the Sunshine Coast University Hospital, impacts of COVID-19 and changes in executive leadership,” he said.
He said there was more people coming to the service for help.
“Presentations at our emergency departments have increased and our clinical staff continue to work hard to triage, assess and care for patients within recommended waiting times,” he said.
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Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Kawana MP Jarrod Bleijie said local health staff were committed but the situation could have been better with improved planning.
“This isn’t the fault of our hard-working doctors, nurses, paramedics, and allied health professionals,” he said.
“The blame lies with the Palaszczuk Government and their lack of planning over the last eight years.”
Dr Gillies said the service was making headway and more progress was expected.
“There has been a reduction in the number of patients waiting longer than expected for their surgery in recent months, and we are committed to this improving every month,” he said.
“Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service’s budget has increased by $66 million this financial year (excluding COVID-19 funding), we are delivering a financial recovery program committed to ensuring that the budget allocation across the health service is fair and equitable, and based on the activity undertaken.
“We are growing our service to better meet the needs of our community.
“In September, we opened an additional surgical ward at Sunshine Coast University Hospital as well as increasing surgical beds at Nambour General Hospital.
“We are continuing to work with our private hospital partners and are growing our workforce to continue increase our elective surgery.
“We value all of our hard-working healthcare staff who continue to provide high-quality care for our communities residing on the Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Gympie regions.”
A Queensland Health spokesperson said the performance levels would inform its response and tailor its support for health services.
“Queensland Health is committed to ensuring our Hospital and Health Services perform to a high standard and, when required, receive appropriate support to do so,” they said.
The Shadow Minister for Open Data Brent Mickelberg said there were terrible ratings at health services around the state.
“Queenslanders will be alarmed to see how badly the health system has deteriorated,” he said.
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