In a significant move to alleviate the elective surgery waitlist, the Queensland Government has announced an additional funding boost of $49.5 million. This investment aims to offload public-sector patients to private hospitals, addressing the backlog that has affected numerous residents. The funding was revealed during a press conference at Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane on January 25, 2026.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls reported that the elective surgery waitlist has decreased by approximately 7 percent over the past year. He emphasized that the new funding will facilitate surgeries for an estimated 5,600 patients, which he described as life-altering opportunities. “This is life-changing surgeries for people,” Nicholls stated. “It means that they can walk their dog, they can take their kids to sporting events, they can get back to the gym, they can get back to enjoying their life.”
The allocation of funds is strategically tiered, with around 60 percent directed towards Brisbane metropolitan hospitals and the remainder supporting regional facilities across Queensland. This funding builds on a previous $100 million investment made in 2025 and is designed to enhance the state’s Surgery Connect program. This initiative offers state-funded subsidies for elective surgeries performed at private hospitals, enabling the government to alleviate pressure on public healthcare facilities.
Since the program’s inception in 2024, it has shown remarkable results. Over 13,100 patients have been treated through this initiative since July 2025, marking a 131 percent increase compared to the same period the previous year. Nicholls noted that around 75 percent of the surgeries expected to be conducted in 2026 will be through the Surgery Connect program, illustrating its crucial role in addressing the surgical backlog.
In addition to surgical offloading, a portion of the new funding will be allocated to enhancing the efficiency of hospital theatre operations, allowing for an increase in the number of procedures conducted. Nicholls highlighted an investment of nearly $8 million in the Metro North Hospital health service region, which is anticipated to facilitate over 800 additional surgeries.
The funding announcement has not been without controversy. Opposition health spokesman Mark Bailey criticized the government for prioritizing elective surgeries at the expense of those awaiting specialist outpatient surgeries. According to Bailey, the number of individuals waiting for outpatient specialist treatment has surged by 13 percent, translating to an additional 40,000 people since the government took power at the end of 2024.
While he acknowledged the improvements in elective surgery waitlists, Bailey urged the state to extend funding efforts to encompass all areas of medical care. In response, Nicholls dismissed claims of neglecting outpatient waitlists as “completely and utterly laughable,” asserting that the previous administration had allowed the number of individuals waiting for elective surgeries to escalate significantly during their tenure.
As Queensland moves forward with its surgical initiatives, the government faces the challenge of balancing resources and ensuring that all patients receive timely medical care. The $49.5 million funding boost is a step towards addressing these pressing healthcare issues, with the potential to enhance the quality of life for many Queensland residents.
