64 Gold Coast Patients Left Waiting for Appropriate Care Placements

Sixty-four patients remain stranded in Gold Coast hospitals as they await essential aged care or disability support placements that fall under the responsibility of the Australian Government.

The Queensland Government has urged the Commonwealth to address what it describes as critical funding gaps that are leaving medically cleared patients in hospital beds unnecessarily, placing additional pressure on the health system and delaying access to specialist services for other Queenslanders.

According to Queensland Health, the group of 64 stranded patients comprises 16 younger individuals and 48 older patients who no longer require acute hospital care but cannot be discharged due to the unavailability of suitable aged care or National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) placements. State authorities contend that a lack of federal funding has left these patients with no appropriate alternatives, resulting in prolonged hospital stays.

Queensland Health estimates that caring for these older patients costs the state system $1.91 million each day, while an additional 290 younger NDIS participants awaiting discharge contribute a further $660,000 in daily costs. Officials argue that these expenses should be borne by the Commonwealth, as aged care and the NDIS fall under federal jurisdiction.

The Gold Coast region is supported by three major hospitals-Gold Coast University Hospital, Robina Hospital and Varsity Lakes Day Hospital-along with two health precincts, all of which continue to experience sustained demand.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the Queensland Government was committed to bolstering the health system and improving patient flow.

"We remain focused on expanding access to care across Queensland, reducing ambulance ramping, and increasing the number of life-changing elective surgeries," Mr Nicholls said.

"Through our Hospital Rescue Plan, we are delivering more than 2,600 additional hospital beds across three new hospitals and 10 major expansions, alongside new and upgraded health facilities throughout the state. While the elective surgery wait list continues to improve and significant progress is being made, there is still much to do to restore the timely, reliable health services Queenslanders deserve."

Dr Ben Chen, Clinical Director of Rehabilitation, Aged Care and Community Services at Gold Coast Health, said staff were working diligently to manage the challenges associated with discharging complex patients.

"Our patients often do not have a strong voice in the system, but their stories and their needs matter deeply," Dr Chen said.
"As my own parents grow older and their care needs increase, it has reminded me to approach my work with greater understanding and respect-to appreciate personal choices, to navigate disagreements with tact, and to act in line with the values we uphold."