What is Planned Care?

Planned Care encompasses the range of specialist appointments (sometimes referred to as outpatient services) and planned surgeries (sometimes referred to as elective surgeries) that assess, diagnose, treat and manage the care and recovery of people who have health conditions that do not require treatment within an emergency setting.

There are waiting lists to access Planned Care services; however, specialist appointments and planned surgeries may also be required for conditions that are urgent and life-threatening.

Planned Care at the hospital

To read more about hospital care, surgical procedures and waiting lists, visit the Queensland Government website.

Inform My Care

To read more about the health services that are available at your local hospital, visit the Inform My Care website.

Measuring performance in Planned Care

Queensland Health is committed to providing all patients with timely, effective and world-class health care. The Queensland Health Performance and Accountability Framework is designed to ensure that Queensland’s public health services are monitored effectively to improve the healthcare system, optimise resources and provide better experience and outcomes for patients.

When assessing performance within Planned Care, a range of measurable indicators that consider the efficiency, effectiveness and equitable access to planned surgeries (elective surgery) and specialist appointments (outpatient services) are continually monitored and analysed.

To view the performance reporting of Planned Care for the following services, click the links below

  • Specialist appointments

    A general practitioner or practitioner can refer a patient for a medical or surgical specialist appointment if their health condition or symptoms requires it. Appointments are held at outpatient clinics or via telehealth, and patients are prioritised based on the urgency of their condition.

  • Planned surgery

    Planned surgery (also known as elective surgery) is a surgery that can be booked in advance. The planned surgical procedure is a result of an assessment with a patient’s treating specialist. Patients are prioritised for planned surgery based on their health condition and symptoms. 

Last updated: August 2024