At a time when record numbers of patients are attending Queensland Emergency Departments, the most critical patients are still being seen on time.
However, less serious patients are being reminded that accessing treatment from more appropriate sources – such as GPs, pharmacies, Satellite Hospitals, or Urgent Care Clinics – will help keep emergency departments available for emergencies.
In the June quarter 2023, average wait time across all five categories in Central Queensland hospitals was 16 minutes. This was an average of 14 minutes in Gladstone, and 29 minutes in Rockhampton.
In Gladstone Hospital, 86 per cent of patients were transferred off their ambulance stretcher within 30 minutes in the June quarter 2023, the same as in the previous year. Rockhampton’s off-stretcher rate dropped from 56 per cent of patients in June quarter 2022, to 45 per cent in the same period in 2023. It should be noted that all patients are assessed on their clinical need and are closely monitored while they await an ED cubicle.
In the June quarter, all 166 Category 1 patients – the most urgent cases – were seen by a clinician within two minutes of arriving at Central Queensland emergency departments, while 72 per cent of all cases were seen within clinically recommended times.
However, less urgent presentations place unnecessary pressure on the system and, potentially, put the lives of others at risk.
Patients with conditions such as UTIs, earaches and ingrown toenails don’t necessarily need to attend an emergency department.
In the most extreme case from May to July, a Rockhampton Hospital patient waited over eleven hours to be seen.
In the first six months of 2023, 6,701 category 5 patients come to CQ emergency departments seeking treatment, many of whom could have sought their less-urgent treatment elsewhere.
CQ Health is constantly working to improve ED waiting times and has linked with other services including integrated virtual care and hospital in the home models to keep patients out of the ED.
The service has also introduced a Patient Access Coordination Hub which shows real-time activity across the hospital to allow better planning and ensure the right patient is in the right place at the right time, helping to improve patient flow and alleviate wait times.
If you are unsure, call your GP* or 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) for advice. You can also visit the virtual ED at Virtual Emergency Department (ED) – Metro North Health.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Shannon Fentiman:
“Our hospital emergency departments are facing unprecedented demand, with more ED presentations than ever before.
“I want to thank our hardworking frontline health staff, who have ensured that 100% of the most serious presentations were seen within two minutes, despite this demand.
“Our government is investing in more staff, more beds, and more health infrastructure than any government in Queensland history, including $11 billion to build three new hospitals and nine hospital expansions.
“These projects are delivering 3,378 new beds, including 500 new beds in this financial year.
“More staff and more beds are critical to reducing the pressure on our busy EDs.
“Last financial year, Queensland EDs saw over 100 presentations every single day for a UTI. These are not the kinds of emergency conditions our EDs are designed to treat.
“We know that we have had a decade of under investment in GPs and primary care, which is meaning more people are arriving at our EDs.
“I’m grateful that the Albanese government is tripling the bulk billing incentive. The combination of our Satellite Hospitals with Urgent Care Clinics will provide more alternative ways for Queenslanders to get the care they need, close to home.”
Quotes attributable to CQHHS Chief Executive, Dr Emma McCahon:
“No patient will be refused care at any of our hospitals, however less urgent cases may need to wait to be seen while our clinicians provide life-saving care to seriously ill and injured patients.
“Many people with non-urgent conditions were finding themselves waiting extended periods of time in emergency department waiting rooms when they could be treated faster at their local GP clinic.
“We understand it can be difficult to know when to go to the emergency department, but there are a few things you can do to help make a decision.
Background
From 2022 through to April 2023, Queensland Hospital Emergency departments saw presentations including:
- 36,911 presentations for a UTI
- 28,064 presentations for attention to surgical dresses and stitches
- 11,995 presentations for an ear infection
- 6,662 requests for repeat medication prescriptions
- 3,764 requests for a medical certificate
- 1,056 presentations for an ingrown toenail
- 280 presentations for sunburn
- 79 presentations for hiccups
