Queensland has announced an additional $100 million in funding for the Surgery Connect Surge program, which aims to fast-track elective surgical procedures for patients waiting in the public system, with 10,000 extra surgeries to be delivered through private hospitals by the end of June.
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Ramsay Health Care, which operates 20 private hospitals across Queensland, including Greenslopes Private Hospital, welcomed the state’s commitment to reducing surgical wait times.
Ramsay Health Care Australia CEO Carmel Monaghan praised the government’s proactive stance, highlighting the importance of timely access to diagnoses and treatments.
“Providing patients with timely access to diagnoses and treatments is a great outcome, and I want to congratulate the Minister and Government on their proactive and collaborative approach to tackling an issue that impacts all Queenslanders,” Ms Monaghan said.
The Surgery Connect program will cover a range of procedures, including ophthalmology, gynaecology, endoscopy, ear, nose and throat surgeries, urology, orthopaedics, and general surgery. This program will speed up the delivery of surgeries such as cataract procedures, tonsil and adenoid removal, and knee replacements.
Ms Monaghan expressed appreciation for the government’s collaboration on the initiative and said Ramsay Health Care looks forward to continuing efforts to ensure Queenslanders receive prompt medical care.
Queensland Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls, who visited Greenslopes Private Hospital to announce the news, said they will be working with more than 60 private partners to help deliver the boost to Surgery Connect across ENT, General Surgery, Orthopaedics, Urology, Ophthalmology, Gynaecology and Plastics.
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He added that Queensland is working to stabilise the elective surgery waitlist, and this boost to Surgery Connect is just the beginning. The additional funding is expected to significantly reduce the backlog of elective surgeries and ease pressure on the public hospital system, benefiting thousands of patients across the state.
Published 21-March-2025
