Queensland doctors form task force to cut soaring surgery waiting-list backlog

The Australian Medical Association Queensland announced a six-person task force aimed at tackling the rapidly expanding "waiting list to get on the waiting list" for surgeries, which now exceeds 362,000 patients, up 15% year-on-year. Associate professor Erica Gannon said the group will develop sensible recommendations for the state, to be submitted in early 2027. Former AMA Queensland president Nick Yim will chair the panel, which brings together doctors from multiple specialties across the state.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie responded that the government is already working to reduce waitlists and has seen some progress since taking office. Data presented by the task force show that more than 14,000 patients in May were waiting for specialist appointments, with nearly 60% of the most urgent cases not seen within clinically recommended times, especially in regional centres like Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Cairns and Central Queensland. The AMA Queensland working group aims to propose measures that will improve access to timely care for Queenslanders.