At least five hospitals in Queensland's south-east have issued code yellow alerts as the state's health system struggles to cope with a surge in patients, 9News can reveal.
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Ipswich Hospital, Logan Hospital, The Mater and The Gold Coast University Hospital have all issued tier-three alerts.
Otherwise known as a code yellow, the alert signals a hospital has reached capacity.
Queensland health minister Shannon Fentiman said hospitals usually remain at tier three for a short time but admitted the state's health system was under pressure.
"Our hospitals are getting many people presenting with the flu, RSV, COVID and other respiratory illnesses," Fentiman said.
"We know winter is a particularly busy time."
Meanwhile, 9News can also reveal Queensland Health is investigating a complaint raised by staff at the Gold Coast University Hospital about patient safety.
The complaint purportedly relates to sedated patients who were not monitored properly on the ambulance ramp on Saturday.
Gold Coast University Hospital's emergency department director Hayley Frieslich said the hospital was taking the issue seriously.
"Any staff member who raises concerns is taken seriously - and so and we will investigate those thoroughly to ensure that we are doing best practise for our patients," Frieslich said.
