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Improving access through partnerships

Thursday 10 December 2015

Throughout 2015, Mater Hospital Brisbane has been improving transparency with referring practitioners by providing up-to-date detailed information about patient waiting times for specialist outpatient clinics. During this time the efficiency of the hospital’s outpatient department has improved dramatically with decreases in median waiting times, an increase in the percentage of patients seen within category clinically recommended timeframes and significant growth in the number of patients seen in specialist clinics.

In November, 94% of patients were ‘waiting in time’ with a total of 8500 patients seen.  This is an excellent result for patient access when compared to the same time last year when 4500 patients were seen and 70% were ‘waiting in time’.

Mater is committed to supporting access to specialist outpatient clinics and by working closely with Queensland Health, we have successfully transferred thousands of ‘long wait’ referrals from government run facilities onto our waiting list for care.  This has meant faster access for patients to an appointment with a Mater specialist. GPs may now be receiving communication from Mater about patients whom they referred, in the past, to different public health providers. We are committed to collaborating with our GP partners and to smoothing the way for these transfer patients to ensure continuity of care.

The impacts at a patient level have been very significant. Some of these patients have finally received long awaited and much needed elective surgery. Other patients have received the expertise, clinical advice and assurance required to better manage their healthcare. Mater plans to continue to work jointly with other facilities to support faster access to patient care. 

Refer direct to Mater for faster access using the quick referrals section on materonline.

View the Mater Hospital Brisbane Outpatient Clinic General Practice Update for December 2015.