Cairns Hospital is grappling with a staggering $5.3 million overspend on its Patient Travel Subsidy Scheme, with Queensland Health officials pointing to disruptive groups consuming alcohol near the facility as a major contributing factor.
Record Spending on Patient Travel
The Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service has recorded the highest expenditure on patient travel subsidies across Queensland during the 2023-24 financial year. The scheme's costs ballooned to $15.8 million, far exceeding the initial budget allocation.
This represents a dramatic increase from previous years and has raised serious concerns about the sustainability of the vital program that helps regional patients access specialist medical care.
Public Drinking Creates Hospital Access Issues
Queensland Health Director-General Michael Walsh identified a troubling pattern of behavior affecting the hospital's operations. Large groups gathering near the hospital entrance have been consuming alcohol and creating significant disruptions for patients and staff.
"We are seeing people who are intoxicated and are actually blocking the entrance to the emergency department," Mr. Walsh revealed. This antisocial behavior has forced some patients to seek treatment elsewhere, subsequently requiring travel subsidies to access care they would normally receive at their local hospital.
The situation has become so severe that hospital security and local police have needed to intervene repeatedly to maintain safe access to medical services.
Broader Impact on Healthcare Delivery
The financial strain from the travel subsidy overspend comes at a challenging time for the health service. Capital works funding for Cairns Hospital decreased by $14.5 million in the same period, dropping from $47.7 million to $33.2 million.
Meanwhile, other regional hospitals including Townsville, Mackay, and Wide Bay received significant funding increases for their infrastructure projects, raising questions about resource allocation across Queensland's health system.
Member for Cairns Michael Healy acknowledged the complex challenges facing the hospital, noting that the travel subsidy scheme is "blowing out across the state" but particularly affecting Far North Queensland.
Addressing the Dual Crisis
Health authorities are now confronting two interconnected issues: managing the budget overrun while addressing the public behavior causing access problems. The situation highlights how social issues directly impact healthcare costs and delivery in regional communities.
Mr. Walsh emphasized that the combination of intoxicated groups blocking hospital access and the subsequent need for patient travel subsidies represents a perfect storm that requires coordinated solutions involving health services, local government, and community organizations.
As Cairns Hospital works to manage these challenges, patients and healthcare professionals alike hope for resolutions that ensure both financial sustainability and safe access to essential medical services.
