Close to half of ambulance patients in Queensland are having to wait more than 30 minutes to be admitted to emergency departments.
Figures in July show 47.8 per cent of patients were ramped for longer than the recommended time frame in the top 26 facilities in the state.
In July last year, under Labor, the ramping rate was 42.2 per cent.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls on Sunday reiterated the LNP's goal of reducing ramping rates to below 30 per cent before 2028.
“We remain committed to delivering that but it’s going to take some hard work," Mr Nicholls said.
He said the state's current ramping delays were "not good enough".
“After a decade of decline where Labor have failed to build the beds we need and failed to invest in the work that needs to be done, both elective surgery waitlists and hospital ramping have been too big," he said.
“That’s why we’ve invested $1.75b into elective surgery and why we’re continuing to invest in our transit lounges announced last week, and our hospital rescue plan to increase the number of beds by 2600.
“We’re investing over $1b in the ambulance service, including more than 170 new ambulance vehicles over the next 12 months.”
Targets not met for close to a decade
Queensland has a target of 90 per cent of patients being transferred from the ambulance to emergency departments within 30 minutes.
The Australian Medical Association's (AMA) latest Ambulance Ramping Report Card showed the state had not met this target in nine years.
Demand for ambulance services has increased by 10 per cent in Queensland over the past four years.
Ramping rates have been increasing in 2025, sitting at 43.1 per cent in May and 44.8 per cent in June.
Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick said the worsening ramping delays were a result of the government's decision to scrap Labor’s $18 billion hospital expansion package and not enough people taking up the free flu vaccine program.
"The worst ambulance ramping on record demonstrates that things are worse under (Premier David) Crisafulli," Mr Dick said.
"Sick Queenslanders are waiting longer for necessary medical treatment.
"Doctors, nurses and paramedics are under enormous stress and pressure."
Ramping figures peaked under the former ALP state government in February 2024 at 46.9 per cent.
Mr Dick refused to speculate as to whether the figures would be lower if Labor was still in power.
"We're not in government," he responded, when asked.
"This Government needs to take responsibility for the decisions it has made to delay the expansion of Queensland hospitals. That has had a direct result in delaying care for sick Queenslanders."
