A Fresh Start for Queensland: Crisafulli Government launches real-time health data
- Crisafulli Government delivers on major 100 Day Plan commitment for real-time health data.
- New Open Hospitals real-time data website is now live, showing the number of patients waiting at hospitals, busiest times at EDs and number of treatment spaces at hospitals.
- 25 major hospitals and Satellite Hospitals showing real-time health data from today.
- Data refreshes every 15-30 minutes to provide transparent and easily accessible information.
For the first time from today Queenslanders can now access the real-time performance of 25 major hospital emergency departments and seven Satellite Hospitals, providing transparency into what is happening in the state's health system.
The Open Hospitals portal delivers on a Crisafulli Government key 100 Day Plan commitment to launch real-time health data, providing openness and transparency to Queenslanders in need of medical care.
Critical information on the website such as median patient wait times and the number of patients who have been triaged and waiting for treatment will be updated every 15 to 30 minutes.
Real-time health data is a significant improvement from the former Government's quarterly health data, which was released months later, at times of political convenience to the former Health Minister.
Curing Labor's Health Crisis is a monumental challenge that will take time, but the Crisafulli Government's Easier Access to Health Services Plan has already started to diagnose the underlying causes and start to treat the system's needs.
The Crisafulli Government has already delivered on its promised to stop Labor's Patient's Tax and extensive consultations with clinicians about renaming Satellite Hospitals to end confusion among Queenslanders has been undertaken.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the Crisafulli Government was delivering on its promise to Queenslanders for more transparency of our health system.
"Today the Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start for Queensland, launching the state's first real-time health data, with our Open Hospitals portal," Minister Nicholls said.
"Patients and our hardworking frontline doctors and nurses have made it clear they want more insight into how our health system is performing and Queensland Health Open Hospitals website delivers it.
"The community has access to information that tells them how critical infrastructure in the health system is performing and which will help them to make informed decisions about their healthcare options.
"There are no silver bullets to fix the multiple challenges our health system faces, but delivering transparency about what's going on inside our hospitals is the first step to healing the Health Crisis.
"It is why our Easier Access to Health Services plan is focused on backing our frontline healthcare workers and ensuring patients can receive the care they need, when they need it."
Minister Nicholls said the Queensland Health Open Hospitals website would also provide people with information on alternative care options, including the Virtual Emergency Care Service.
"It's vitally important that Queenslanders can get the right care for their condition, close to home," he said.
"Of course, anyone who needs emergency attention should go to their nearest emergency department or call an ambulance on Triple-0 (000) for assistance.
"That's why the new Open Hospitals website will also provide information on when to go to the emergency department, details for 13HEALTH and a link to the healthdirect online symptom checker."
Minister for Customer Service and Open Data Steve Minnikin said the Open Hospitals website showed what could be achieved with a fresh approach to sharing information.
"The Crisafulli Government's Fresh Start for Queenslanders includes a fresh approach to customer services and open data," Mr Minnikin said.
"We want to be Australia's most customer-service focused government, and Queensland Health is showing what can be achieved when Queenslanders are put first.
"Working across Government departments we will continue to streamline government services and access to information for all Queenslanders."
Access the Open Hospitals website here: www.openhospitals.health.qld.gov.au
