❓ Hon Michelle Hofmann questions the Minister for Health regarding outpatient waiting times, data accuracy, and transparency. The Minister acknowledges ongoing efforts but admits accurate central reporting is currently unavailable.

Health—Outpatient waiting times73.Hon Michelle Hofmannto theparliamentary secretary representing the Minister for Health:I refer to question on notice 45 regarding wait time data for outpatient services and to the response that the Department of Health, in collaboration with health service providers, is undertaking extensive work to improve the quality, consistency and accuracy of this information.(1) Has that extensive work been completed?(2) In relation to people waiting for a first outpatient specialist appointment in our public hospital system:(a) how many people are currently waiting; and(b) what is the median wait time?(3) Has the department's extensive work been ongoing since 2017, which is when the last data on outpatient referral and wait times was published?(4) What measures are in place to ensure transparency of outpatient waiting times?The President:Having regard to standing order 105 in relation to that question, the Parliamentary Secretary for Health.

Hon Pierre Yang replied:I thank the honourable member for some notice of the question. The following has been provided by the Minister for Health.(1)–(3) Improving the quality, consistency and accuracy of data remains an ongoing priority. While a range of initiatives have been implemented since 2017 to strengthen outpatient waitlist reporting, limitations within current systems and the scale of outpatient activities mean that accurate central reporting of outpatient waiting times is not available at this time.(4) The department and hospitals are undertaking extensive work to improve the quality, consistency and availability of public specialist wait times. Health—Outpatient waiting times