Queensland Health data for June 2026 shows ramping rates and elective surgery waitlists have decreased at half of Queensland’s Hospital and Health Services.
Patients are flowing faster through the state’s busy emergency departments (EDs) thanks to targeted investment and innovative initiatives to get Queenslanders the care they need sooner.
Clearing the way
Almost 200,000 people presented to a public hospital ED in June 2026 alone, which is close to the total population of Townsville and about 4,400 higher than the total for June 2025.
While presentation numbers keep climbing, ambulance ramping dropped to its lowest quarterly performance level since the COVID-19 pandemic.
New data shows ramping at Queensland Health’s top 26 facilities across the state was at 35.5 per cent for the June 2026 quarter, well down from 44.8 per cent in the same period last year.
The elective surgery waitlist remains stable and has been reduced by 1,500 over the same period, with 58,912 patients waiting as at 1 July 2026.
Improvements in key metrics are being seen across both cities and regional centres, with ramping rates and elective surgery waitlists decreasing at half of Queensland’s Hospital and Health Services (HHSs).
Hard work, planning paying off
The Queensland Government set a target to reduce ambulance ramping to 30 per cent by 2028.
Positive results at half of Queensland’s top 26 health facilities in June 2026 demonstrated that the hard work and dedication of health staff and targeted measures were having an impact.
These include an investment of $55 million into the Patient Flow Rapid Response Fund to enhance ED performance and patient flow.
The improvements mean better care and shorter wait times for patients, which remain Queensland Health’s priorities as public hospitals continue to face growing demand and significant pressure.
Strong ramping performances
Ramping at Gold Coast HHS’s two major facilities plunged 32.7 percentage points to 16.7 per cent in June, with Gold Coast University Hospital (20.1 per cent) and Robina Hospital (11.6 per cent) achieving their lowest quarterly ramping rates recorded.
Several hospitals showed their biggest improvements in quarterly ramping rates since 2020, including:
- Gympie Hospital (21.6%)
- Nambour Hospital (23.9%)
- Queensland Children’s Hospital (13.9%)
- Redcliffe Hospital (28.9%)
- Rockhampton Hospital (32.3%)
- Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (40.9%).
Reduced elective surgery waitlists
The biggest reductions in elective surgery waitlists from June 2025 to June 2026 were seen in Metro North HHS (down 660), Central Queensland HHS (down 549), Children’s Health Queensland (down 443) and Wide Bay HHS (down 358).
Several hospitals across these HHSs contributed to the 1,500 statewide reduction, including:
- Rockhampton (down 543)
- Queensland Children’s (443)
- Ipswich Hospital (down 273)
- Bundaberg Hospital (down 217)
- Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (down 167)
- The Prince Charles Hospital (down 102).