New data shows more older Queenslanders facing delays leaving hospital due to federal aged care bottlenecks

More than 1,400 Queenslanders who are medically fit to leave hospital remain stuck in hospital beds because they cannot access federally funded aged care and disability services.

The Queensland Government is calling for a national plan to provide more aged care places to free up beds for Queenslanders in need and give stranded patients the care they deserve.

“I never thought I would end up like this. Sitting looking at the walls waiting for a nursing home who will accept me.” – Queensland stranded patient.

For many patients, returning home or to a community setting supports recovery, independence and wellbeing by helping them reconnect with their usual routines, family and support networks.

Darling Downs HHS Executive Director Allied Health and Community Services Louise Van Every said the human impact was just as significant as the health system impact.

“No one wants to spend unnecessary time in a hospital bed,” Ms Van Every said.

“Recently, we supported a patient to return home after spending more than 100 days in hospital waiting for community support services to be in place.

“The moment he was reunited with his wife was a powerful reminder that reducing long hospital stays is about much more than improving system performance.

“It’s about restoring independence, preserving dignity, and helping people to return to the people and places that matter most.”

Stranded patients like this occupy the equivalent of Queensland's largest hospital every day.

It costs Queensland $3.6 million a day in care, including $2.8 million for aged care patients and the remaining $800,000 for NDIS patients. Also, reducing bed availability, contributing to emergency department pressures, and placing additional strain on our frontline health workers.

The Queensland Government is already delivering more health services as part of the Hospital Rescue Plan, including three new hospitals and 10 expanded hospitals, 2,600 new hospital beds and 46,000 more health professionals by 2032. Programs such as the Geriatric Evaluation Management and Rehabilitation Hospital in the Home service are also helping older Queenslanders recover safely at home.

But more needs to be done.

Projections indicate the demand for residential aged care will grow by around 60 per cent over the next decade, with demand for care at home increasing by more than half. Currently, there are 20,000 Queenslanders waiting for their approved level of Support at Home services, facing average wait times of around 12 months.

Without significant growth in both residential aged care capacity and in-home support services, hospitals will continue to face challenges in discharging patients who no longer require acute care

The Queensland Government is determined that the Federal Government deliver on its aged care and NDIS responsibilities and provide the support Stranded Patients need.

Learn more about the impact on patients and health system pressures.

Last updated:

11 September 2026