LNP Queensland

More than a third of all patients who presented to the Mackay Hospital emergency department for treatment waited longer than recommended last December.

LNP Spokesman for Health Mark McArdle said the Health Minister had been forced to release the data because of a Right to Information request from the State Opposition.

"This data paints a picture of dangerous and dysfunctional emergency departments," Mr McArdle said.

"More than thirty per cent or 387 out of 1251 people requiring urgent treatment, within 30 minutes, were not seen on time at the Mackay Hospital.

"This is just not good enough — these are people with major injuries, bleeding and fractures and every minute can mean the difference between life and death."

Mr McArdle said the December data showed that 131 patients gave up waiting at the Mackay emergency department and went home without treatment.

"This is very dangerous — these patients are risking complications down the track.

Mr McArdle said the figures showed the health crisis was far from over in Mackay.

"To make matters worse, a number of the figures in the Emergency Department report for December were highlighted red or orange meaning there had been a significant deterioration over time.

"These figures highlight just how badly Bligh and Labor have failed Mackay through a lack of planning and investment in health infrastructure.

"The focus should be patients not politics."