The Queensland Government is investing $200 million to reduce the number of long-stay patients in public hospitals, through a raft of measures including purchasing private aged care beds and supporting private sector aged care providers.

The latest Hospital Performance data shows the number of long-stay patients in Queensland hospitals has risen to 877, an increase of 247 patients, or nearly 40%, since August last year.

Long-stay patients are medically fit for discharge but remain in hospital due to the lack of available aged care or disability accommodation, which are mainly funded by the Federal Government.

The Qld Government funding will go towards purchasing private sector aged care beds in local communities, supporting private nursing homes to care for more patients, and increasing the number of staff employed on Aged Care Assessment Teams, as well as other measures.

“Our $200 million investment to reduce long-stay patient numbers will help us significantly improve hospital capacity and ensure long-stay patients are getting more appropriate care,” said Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women, Shannon Fentiman.