Queensland’s health system is in need of urgent reform after years of systemic breakdowns across infrastructure, cybersecurity and patient care, a new audit has revealed.
The Queensland Audit office’s latest report highlights a sector facing critical challenges with mounting costs, worsening wait times and underwhelming performance on preventable hospital admissions.
The backlog of hospital maintenance has blown out to $2bn, a 40% increase in just one year.
The report warns that this figure is likely to be underestimated.
“The high level of deferred maintenance means it is likely the condition of health facilities is worsening,” the report states.
Cybersecurity risks have doubled, with 13 control deficiencies identified, compared with seven the previous year.
Among them are inadequate passwords controls and the delayed removal of access for terminated staff.
The report describes these weaknesses as particularly concerning given that the health sector has been identified as one of the most vulnerable to cyber-attacks in Australia.
Waiting times for specialist outpatient services are the longest in nine years, with Queensland ranking seventh out of eight states for preventable hospital admissions.
“Despite more outpatients being treated than ever before, Queensland Health has not met its time-related targets,” the report says.
Adding to the pressure are longstanding deficiencies in procurement processes.
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The report uncovered misuse of corporate cards and non-compliance with contract management policies, warning of “a lack of enforcement of the terms of a contract”.
While these findings paint a damning picture, there were signs of progress for the Miles government between 2023 and 2024.
An additional 6,259 health staff were employed in what was seen as a tough labour market.
Infrastructure spending also delivered 2,200 additional beds under the capacity expansion program.
Despite these gains, the audit underscores the urgent need for sweeping reforms to restore the health system.
