Qld emergency dept waiting times cut PATIENTS are waiting shorter times to be treated in Queensland's emergency departments. Premier Campbell Newman says the number of patients whose stay in an emergency departments four hours or less has broken the 70 per cent barrier for the first time. In the last month of the Labor government, only 64 per cent of emergency patients travelled through the emergency department within four hours, Mr Newman said on Wednesday. In January 2013 that vastly improved to 74 per cent, he said. Health Minister Lawrence Springborg claims the improvements are a direct result of the new 17 health and hospital boards focusing on delivering for patients rather than for union bosses and the political aims of the Labor party. Mr Springborg and Mr Newman launch their new blueprint for Queensland Health on Wednesday, which will advocate more private partnerships and improved reporting.