85 Townsville patients stuck in hospital as calls grow for federal action

Eighty-five patients who have been medically cleared for discharge remain stranded in Townsville Hospital, as the Queensland Government urges the Commonwealth to address funding gaps that are preventing access to appropriate aged care and NDIS support.

The group includes 17 younger patients and 68 older patients who are occupying hospital beds despite no longer requiring acute medical treatment. According to the Queensland Government, a shortfall in federal funding has left these patients without suitable community care options, placing significant pressure on the Townsville Hospital and Health Service (HHS).

State officials warn the delays are causing bottlenecks across the health system, slowing access to specialist services for other Queenslanders. The issue is not isolated to Townsville, with similar cases emerging across Far North Queensland.

The Townsville HHS covers one of the state's largest and most diverse regions, stretching west to Richmond and Hughenden, north to Cardwell, south to Home Hill and east to Magnetic and Palm Islands.

The Queensland Government says the prolonged hospital stays are costing the health system $1.91 million per day for older patients alone-costs it argues should be covered by the Commonwealth. A further 290 younger patients awaiting NDIS-supported discharge add an additional $660,000 per day.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the Crisafulli Government was doing its part to bolster the state's health system.

"We are committed to improving access to healthcare across Queensland, reducing ambulance ramping, and increasing life-changing elective surgeries," Mr Nicholls said.

"Through our Hospital Rescue Plan, we're delivering more than 2,600 new beds across three new hospitals and 10 expansions, along with new and upgraded facilities across the state. While elective surgery waitlists are improving, there is still significant work ahead to restore health services and deliver the fresh start we promised."

Townsville HHS Chief Executive Kieran Keyes said long-stay patients remain an ongoing challenge for the region.

"Every day we have dozens of people in hospital who no longer need acute medical care but have nowhere else to go," Mr Keyes said.

"When a hospital bed is tied up long-term for non-medical reasons, it means another patient-someone's parent, child or partner-may be waiting longer than necessary for a bed."

He said the priority is ensuring patients can transition safely and smoothly to the right care setting.

"These patients deserve dignity, stability and the appropriate support-not an extended hospital stay. Hospitals are designed to treat illness, not accommodate people once their medical care is complete. We're committed to working with families, care providers and the broader community to help people move into the right environment at the right time."