Overview
- State and territory leaders emerged from a midweek emergency meeting vowing a coordinated, forceful campaign for the Commonwealth to honour its 2023 hospital funding commitment.
- Prime Minister Anthony Albanese previously warned in a September letter that the 42.5% cost-share target by 2030-31 was at risk unless states curbed growth in hospital activity and costs.
- NSW reported about 1,100 beds unavailable for new acute patients because people needing aged care or NDIS supports cannot be discharged.
- Queensland cited 1,126 long-stay patients awaiting transfer to dedicated facilities, with some waiting up to about 1,000 days and pressures noted at hospitals including Redland, Rockhampton and Townsville.
- State leaders say the latest federal proposal sits near 37%, down from the 42.5% pledge, and argue Commonwealth responsibility for aged care and the NDIS must be met to ease hospital bed block.