The Queensland Government is healing the Health Crisis, with new quarterly Health Data showing ambulance ramping is at its lowest rate in five years.

The new data shows the statewide ambulance ramping rate dropped to 37.3 per cent in the December quarter – the lowest the quarterly ambulance ramping rate has been since December 2020.

The December figures also shows the elective surgery waitlist remains stable at 61,785, down from a peak of 66,632, just after the election.

It will take time to heal the Health Crisis, with ramping rates fluctuating between quarters, but the Queensland Government will continue to pull every lever possible to further reduce ramping across Queensland.

The new ramping data comes as The Hospital Rescue Plan for the QEII Hospital Expansion in Brisbane reached a major milestone last week, with the final cement pour occurring at the new five-storey Clinical Services Building, signifying the completion of the structural phase, allowing the fit-out to begin.

The expanded QEII Hospital will deliver 112 new inpatient beds, upgraded surgical facilities, expanded intensive care, and a new multi-level car park with 1,379 spaces to support growing demand.

Construction of the new Clinical Services Building commenced in February 2025 and is on track for completion by 2028.

Works are also progressing the $70 million high-voltage upgrade – critical to ensuring the hospital can operate.

The QEII Hospital construction milestone is part of the surge in hospital planning and construction across the state, with key Hospital Rescue Plan milestones already delivered in 2026 including:

• The new Cairns Hospital Master Plan, including a more than $1 billion investment to expand and modernise the hospital, and deliver improved weather and cyclone resilience, education and research facilities
• Final stages of early works at the new Toowoomba Hospital with 538 beds to be delivered at the Baille Henderson Campus by 2029
• Business cases approved to progress on 20 projects in the next stage of the Building Rural and Remote Hospital Program (BRRHP), part of the Hospital Rescue Plan, including at Hughenden, Richmond, Home Hill, Chinchilla, Biloela, Laidley, Boonah, Murgon, Childers, Proserpine, Jandowae, Dalby and Warwick Bamaga, Yellagundgimarra, Laura, Boigu, Badu Island, Lockhart River, Horn Island.

Premier David Crisafulli said the Government was delivering health services when Queenslanders needed them most.

“We are healing the Health Crisis, and this latest ramping data is an important sign that we are on the right path,” Premier Crisafulli said.

“Queenslanders deserve a world class health system, and that’s why we are building the health infrastructure our growing state needs to help overturn delayed ambulances and soaring elective surgery waitlists.

“We are delivering easier access to health services for all Queenslanders, no matter where they live.”

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the fully-funded Hospital Rescue Plan was crucial to healing the Health Crisis.

“The Queensland Government is turning the tide on the Health Crisis,” Minister Nicholls said.

“Our Hospital Rescue Plan is now in full swing, delivering new and expanded hospitals across the State, including 2,600 new beds and health services when Queenslanders need them most.

“We’re seeing the first green shoots when it comes to bringing down ambulance ramping and stabilising the elective surgery waitlist.

“We know a lot more work still needs to be done which is why, in the coming months and years, Queenslanders will see plenty of action at our Hospital Rescue Plan project sites as we build the infrastructure needed to get out health system back on track.”