The Queensland government has promised to release hospital emergency department waiting time data and complete a probe into Mackay Hospital by the end of the month after the opposition raised doubts about both issues.
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Queensland's Liberal National Party accused the state government of keeping people in the dark about a probe into alleged malpractice at Mackay Hospital, and broader capacity problems in the health system.
A probe of the north Queensland facility was ordered in October after complaints from women about complications from caesareans, and allegations of patient harm.
Mackay Base Hospital's accreditation to train specialist obstetricians and gynaecologists was recently suspended and at least one doctor was stood down before the investigation began.
Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said the once the quarterly data had been formalised it would be released this month.
"We openly and transparently report on health performance data and our Inform My Care website leads the nation in allowing the public to compare the performance of public and private health facilities," she told AAP in a statement on Tuesday.
She said it had been on the public record since April that the investigation into the Mackay hospital's obstetrics and gynaecology services would be completed by the end of June.
The LNP had "made a mockery" of transparency while in office, the minister said, by changing the way it reported key health data.
LNP leader David Crisafulli said former patients and staff are "in limbo", with the report's release already pushed back from March.
The opposition leader said if the inquiry needs more time to gather or examine evidence, the government should explain what is happening rather than continue with its "clandestine approach".
He also raised concerns about the government not yet releasing any 2022 data on emergency waiting or ambulance ramping.
Late last month, Ms D'Ath released data for the December quarter of 2021 in response to a question on notice from LNP health spokeswoman Ros Bates on March 30.
"It's deeply concerning, and the government has to answer why they wouldn't share it with Queenslanders," Mr Crisafulli said.
"In other states I can see data in real time, I can see data on my phone, as to what's happening in the emergency department of the Tweed Hospital (on the NSW border) and I can't tell you what's happening over our shoulder."
Australian Associated Press
