Keeping pace with the community

Despite an increased demand for healthcare, Australia’s largest public health provider continues to deliver high quality services to keep pace with community needs.

Metro North Hospital and Health Service Board Chair Emeritus Professor Dr Robert Stable AM said the health service provided 2.8 million healthcare activities in 2016/17, an increase of 12 per cent on the previous year.

“In the last financial year, almost 270,000 patients were admitted to hospital and 283,628 patients were treated in our busy Emergency Departments,” Dr Stable said.

“Our surgical teams performed an additional 3101 operations, a 6.7 per cent rise in activity with 99% of patients seen in the clinically recommended time frame for elective surgery – an incredible achievement for a health service that cares for the entire state.

“We’ve also delivered a record number of new and follow up outpatient appointments with 987,000 outpatient appointments provided which is truly impressive.

“As a result of the Government’s Specialist Outpatient Strategy, we have been able to increase access to outpatient services translating into more patients being seen each and every day. In fact, since August 2014 we have reduced our outpatient long waits from 32,756 to 7,225 as of June this year.

“Currently, there are no patients waiting for an Ear, Nose and Throat specialist outpatient appointment outside the clinically recommended time frame.”

Acting Chief Executive Shaun Drummond said despite the significant increase in activity, Metro North invested in a range of new services, more beds and initiatives to improve patient care while staying on budget and ensuring the financial sustainability of the health service.

“In the last financial year, we opened a new ward at Caboolture Hospital, commenced an interim care service at Zillmere caring for our elderly patients, established a specialised gastroenterology blue theatre and work is already underway on the $1.1 billion Herston Quarter Redevelopment Project.

“Our focus on improving care for our elderly patients has seen a range of measures developed from fast tracking this cohort through our Emergency Departments to increasing outreach services resulting in less time spent in hospital.

“And we continue to lead the state in ensuring our hospitals are safe places for staff, patients and visitors through a variety of action based solutions including additional security officers, body worn cameras, better reporting mechanisms and support services.”

Dr Stable said none of this would be possible without the continued dedication and care of our professional and hardworking staff.

“Our staff are committed to working together with compassion, respect and integrity to provide services that are relevant, efficient and focused on achieving the best outcome for our patients.”

Metro North’s 2016-17 Annual Report is available online.

Fast facts

MNHHS employs more than 18,000 staff with an annual budget of $2.553 billion
Last financial year, 2.8 million healthcare activities were delivered
268,853 people were admitted to hospital, up from 239,376 last year
98,483 ambulance arrivals, up from 94,824 last year
49, 288 elective and emergency operations performed
16,433 children were admitted
8,390 babies born
Zero long wait for ENT specialists