AMBULANCE ramping continues to challenge Queensland’s health system, with the latest data showing that nearly half of all ambulance patients State-wide are still waiting more than 30 minutes to be transferred into emergency departments.
According to ABC News reporting from September 2025, 47.8 per cent of patients across Queensland’s 26 major hospitals were ramped beyond the recommended timeframe – the worst figures on record following a heavy flu season.
Despite the State-wide pressure, the impact is particularly acute in fast-growing regions like Ipswich.
Residents rely heavily on emergency departments that are already struggling to keep up with rising demand.
Ipswich’s rapid population growth has driven a surge in emergency presentations, placing sustained pressure on Ipswich Hospital.
The Queensland Government says it is working to reverse the trend.
New data released in early 2026 shows ramping had fallen to 37.3 per cent, the lowest level in five years, following the rollout of the Hospital Rescue Plan, which includes major hospital expansions, new beds, and upgraded emergency facilities.
Monthly reporting introduced in 2025 also shows ramping at 40.5 per cent in January, down from 45.1 per cent the year before, suggesting early signs of improvement.
However, health experts warn that the improvements are uneven.
Australian Medical Association Queensland President Nick Yim noted that ramping had worsened in mid 2025, with July figures showing a jump from 42.2 per cent the previous year to 47.8 per cent, underscoring the volatility of the system and the ongoing mismatch between demand and capacity.
Emergency care specialists say the core issue remains unchanged: Queensland’s hospitals are being outpaced by demographic pressure, particularly in regions experiencing rapid growth or significant ageing.
“When hospitals don’t have enough beds, the entire emergency system slows down,” one expert said.
“Paramedics end up waiting on the ramp instead of responding to new emergencies.”
While State-wide data shows signs of progress, the situation in Ipswich remains uncertain with the region continuing to experience high demand.
Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls stated, “We are committed to improving access to healthcare across Queensland, reducing ambulance ramping, and increasing life changing elective surgeries”.
Whether these measures will ease pressure is still unclear, and the real impact remains to be seen.
