Queensland hospitals are under increased pressure, with high occupancy rates often cited as causing an increase in emergency department wait times and patient stretcher times. To reduce the rate of potentially preventable hospitalisations, Queensland Health is developing several preventative strategies as part of its My health, Queensland’s future: Advancing health 2026 strategy. These include:

• early disease management
• provision of appropriate and individualised preventative health interventions.

By minimising hospitalisations, the social and economic pressures are reduced on the health system. The Australian Medical Association reported that $21 billion could be saved over 4 years (2021–22 to 2024–25) by reducing unnecessary hospitalisations and emergency department presentations.