Queensland faces over 1,400 patients stuck in hospitals awaiting aged care placement

In April, Queensland hospitals housed more than 1,400 patients unable to leave for aged-care or NDIS placements, a rise from just over 1,100 the previous year and costing the state over $3 million each day. Health minister Tim Nicholls blamed the Commonwealth for not financing the "stranded Australians" and said the matter would be a priority at the state-territory health ministers' summit. He cited extreme cases, including one patient detained for over 1,000 days and 15 others for more than 700 days.

The Australian Medical Association Queensland, represented by Erica Gannon, warned that prolonged stays strain emergency services and expose vulnerable patients to infection. A Commonwealth spokesperson noted a $2 billion aged-care fund was offered but redirected by states toward hospitals. Shadow Attorney-General Meaghan Scanlon called for joint responsibility, criticizing the focus on stadium projects over hospital needs.