General News
24 September, 2025
Hospital surgeries up by 10 per cent
A RECORD number of patients have been able to receive treatment – including complex surgery – closer to home in Far North Queensland.
Nearly 16,000 patients received emergency or elective surgery in Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service hospitals in the 2024-2025 financial year, an increase of nearly 10% compared to the previous financial year.
CHHHS chief executive Leena Singh said more than half of these patients required emergency surgery.
“I am very pleased to report that of the most urgent critical cases presenting to our hospitals, every single person (100%) was treated within clinically recommended timeframes,” she said.
“Emergency and trauma surgery now comprises more than 50% of all surgery at our health service and this really underscores the crucial role of Cairns Hospital and the only major referral hospital for all of Far North Queensland.”
Ms Singh said clinical teams were able to accommodate the extra patients through strategic investments and dedicated teamwork and increased surgical lists – particularly in gynaecology and endoscopy – enabling more patients to undergo procedures locally.
“Our gastroenterology team treated 8769 patients – 848 more than the previous year,” she said.
“Additionally, 850 more patients received endoscopy procedures, with expanded services at Atherton, Mareeba and Innisfail hospitals.
“These rural surgical lists reduce the emotional and logistical strain of travel, embodying our commitment to patient-centred care.
“Combine this with our growing medical demand for beds, this is a record level of patient activity for our health service.”
Ms Singh said the integration of the electronic Medical Record (ieMR) system across rural hospitals had also improved patient flow and reduced the need for patients to retell their story when transferred between hospitals.
“Transitioning from paper to digital records, as well as upgrading Cairns Hospital’s ieMR for medication management, has enhanced patient safety and streamlined care coordination,” she said.
“To increase our capacity to care for our growing population, over $300 million in construction projects are underway, including refurbishments to deliver two additional wards (64 beds) at Cairns Hospital. These are expected to open in 2026 and 2027.
Board chairman Chris Boland said the health service’s end of year results reflected a readiness to meet the needs of a population facing increasingly complex health challenges.
“Far North Queensland faces challenges in balancing population growth with rising healthcare costs, specialist workforce shortages, and primary care access issues, particularly for rural and First Nations communities,” he said.
“Our ability to respond swiftly to these issues reflects the skill and dedication of our workforce.
“Our teams have worked tirelessly to optimise surgical lists and leverage strategic investments, ensuring we can meet the growing demand while maintaining high standards of care,” he said.
