The Queensland Government has delivered on its commitment to stabilise the elective surgery waitlist within one year, with new data revealing a drop in the number of patients at Townsville University Hospital waiting for elective surgery.

It is one of the ways the Queensland Government is delivering for Queensland, by fast-tracking access to elective surgeries and restoring health services when Townsville residents need them most.

The waitlist has now fallen by three per cent, with over 7,000 elective surgeries delivered by Townsville Hospital and Health Service.

The results mean more Queenslanders are able to get the life changing care they need faster.

It has been made possible with the Queensland Government’s $100 million Surgery Connect Surge program, which referred an additional 12,000 public surgery patients to the private sector – free of charge – between February and June 30.

Following this success, the Queensland Government has extended this program through a record $1.75 billion investment, anticipated to deliver a further 30,000 surgeries in this financial year alone.

Along with stabilising the elective surgery waitlist, the Queensland Government is pulling every lever possible to reduce ambulance ramping and is delivering an expansion at the Townsville University Hospital as part of the fully funded Hospital Rescue Plan.

Premier David Crisafulli said the Queensland Government was delivering a fresh start for Queenslanders, exactly as promised.

“We are delivering health services when Queenslanders need them by stabilising the elective surgery waitlist and supporting our dedicated healthcare workers,” Premier Crisafulli said.

“We made a commitment to Queenslanders that it would happen in one year and we have kept our promise – two months ahead of schedule.

“While we are seeing elective surgery down and important progress on the Hospital Rescue Plan, there is much more to be done to restore health services when you need them, and we remain committed to delivering the fresh start we promised.”

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls welcomed the results and said it showed the Government’s plan to ensure Queenslanders received the care they needed sooner was working.

“Queenslanders have been waiting too long for the surgeries they need, and the Government is changing that because we know that the data represents people waiting for life-changing care,” Minister Nicholls said.

Member for Mundingburra Janelle Poole said these results were a welcome sign for the people of Townsville.

“We are delivering easier access to health services when locals need them most,” Ms Poole said.

Member for Townsville Adam Baillie said the Queensland Government was already making early inroads.

“I'm proud to be part of a government that is helping to turn things around” Mr Baillie said.

Member for Thuringowa Natalie Marr said this meant more people in North Queensland were getting the care they need.

“These life changing surgeries mean people don’t have to live in pain or discomfort, it means they can get back on with their daily lives,” Ms Marr said.