Medical leader Bill Glasson says the Queensland government is breaking state law by leaving mandatory Indigenous positions unfilled on two Brisbane hospital boards. The seats at Metro North and Metro South have been vacant since March 31. Glasson has called on Health Minister Tim Nicholls to make urgent temporary appointments. Nicholls said recruitment is underway to fill the First Nations vacancies in South East Queensland. Professor Tom Calma said the roles are critical given the large Indigenous population in the region.
The family of 86-year-old Leo Barraclough say his death at Caboolture Hospital in June 2024 was not reported to the coroner. An ABC investigation found multiple problems with his care, including delayed antibiotics, missed observations and an opioid dose that was higher than recommended. Hospital staff recorded his death as not unexpected. After the ABC raised questions, Metro North Health Service referred the death to the coroner out of an abundance of caution. The family has welcomed the referral.
Pormpuraaw residents are receiving their first care at a new $35.4 million health centre. An open day on 14 October welcomed community members, staff and first patients, with a blessing ceremony and traditional dancers. The Yalu Street facility includes treatment rooms, medical imaging, dental services and six consultation rooms. Stage two, which adds a morgue, mourning area and local artworks, is expected to be completed in early 2027.
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Queensland paramedics say they are spending entire 12-hour shifts with patients stuck outside overcrowded emergency departments. Latest figures show 42 per cent of ambulance patients at the state's top 26 public hospitals waited more than 30 minutes to be transferred in August. QEII Hospital recorded the highest rate in Queensland at 64.8 per cent. A 51-year-old man was found dead about two hours after calling Triple Zero, and an investigation is underway. Health Minister Tim Nicholls said the government remained hopeful of meeting its target of under 30 per cent by 2028.
A coroner is investigating the death of a 51-year-old man who waited more than two hours for an ambulance after calling triple zero about chest pains. Paramedics found Nick Bradford dead at his Annerley home in Brisbane's south after midnight. His family says they were first told an ambulance arrived within minutes of his call. Health Minister Tim Nicholls has apologised to the family. Another man in his 80s died after a three-hour wait at the Mater Hospital, and both cases will be subject to critical incident reviews.
The family of a 51-year-old man who died at his Annerley home while waiting two hours for an ambulance says they learnt of the delays through the media. His brother Daniel said the family wants to know whether something could have been done. Health Minister Tim Nicholls said he was told of the death on Monday and apologised to the family. Opposition leader Steven Miles blamed ramping in Queensland hospitals. A review of the incident has been ordered.
A review has been launched after a 53-year-old man died at his Annerley home in Brisbane while waiting two hours for paramedics. He had called Triple Zero on Saturday night with chest pains. Separately, a man in his 80s died shortly after going into cardiac arrest, following about three hours waiting for a bed at Mater Private Hospital. Health Minister Tim Nicholls offered condolences and said both cases would be reviewed. Ambulance ramping stands at 42 per cent across Queensland's top 26 public hospital emergency departments.
