- Emergency Department (ED) wait times improve amidst an increase of more than 30,000 presentations across the state.
- Several EDs have made significant improvements to patient flow, supported by the Miles Government’s $1.14 billion Putting Patients First plan.
The Miles Government has achieved significant improvements in the number of patients receiving treatment in EDs within clinically recommended timeframes.
This achievement comes despite Queensland Health hospitals reporting record numbers, with more than 30,000 additional patients presenting to emergency departments during the March quarter compared to the same time last year.
Even with this increased demand, hardworking frontline staff continued to deliver world class care to Queenslanders.
In Metro North Hospital and Health Service, Caboolture Hospital successfully reduced their average ED wait times from 20 minutes to 17 minutes, with Redcliffe Hospital’s wait time improving by 10 minutes compared to the same time last year.
Metro South is also seeing great results, with Redland Hospital’s ED average wait times remaining steady, despite a 2.6 per cent increase in demand compared to the previous quarter.
An increase of more than five per cent in Category 1 presentations didn’t slow down the Princess Alexandra Hospital which achieved a 2.3 per cent increase of patients seen within clinically recommended timeframes and shaved two minutes off its ED wait times.
At Ipswich Hospital ED, the wait time has dropped by four minutes, to 20 minutes. In addition, the number of patients seen within recommended timeframes improved by almost 10 per cent, despite an increase in ED presentations.
These impressive results are also being seen across some of our busiest regional hospitals.
Excitingly, Bundaberg Hospital achieved a 17 per cent improvement in the number of patients seen within recommended time frames, whilst also managing a 21 per cent increase in Category 1 presentations. The average wait time for patients to be seen in ED also improved by six minutes.
Rockhampton Hospital also achieved great results, halving their ED wait time to 15 minutes. This achievement is complemented by a 28.4 per cent improvement in the number of patients seen within clinically recommended timeframes, despite a 55 per cent increase in Category 1 presentations.
These hospitals have all benefited from targeted investments through the $1.14 billion Putting Patients First plan, and five point plan announced in November last year.
This includes growing Queensland’s frontline workforce, creating new positions focused on improving patient flow through EDs, clinical innovations such as transit lounges and rapid access services, as well as more beds and extended service hours.
As stated by Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman:
“We know our hospital emergency departments are busier than ever before, with a growing and ageing population, declining private health cover, more complex conditions, and a lack of access to GPs.
“One hundred per cent of all Category 1 patients are seen within clinically recommended times.
“While no patient is ever refused care, our emergency departments are prioritised for seriously ill and injured patients and unfortunately people with non-urgent conditions may find themselves waiting extended periods of time.
“Less urgent presentations like blisters, hiccoughs, ingrown toenails, sunburn and medical script requests, place unnecessary pressure on the system and these presentations could be efficiently treated elsewhere.
“That is why our government has invested in our satellite hospitals, introduced the pharmacy scope of practice, and provided GP incentives to grow the workforce.
“We’ve also rolled out initiatives to improve patient flow in our EDs including ED commanders, triage nurses, more doctors, and longer imaging hours.
“Unlike the LNP, who offer nothing but political slogans, we have put real solutions on the table to invest in initiatives proposed by doctors and nurses.”
