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, all Mackay Base Hospital category 1 patients – the most urgent cases – were seen by a clinician within two minutes of arriving at our emergency departments, while 91 per cent of all cases were seen within clinically recommended times.
Less urgent presentations place unnecessary pressure on the system.
In the June quarter 64 per cent of patients who arrived by ambulance at Mackay Base Hospital were off the stretcher within 30 minutes.
Patients with conditions such as UTIs, earaches and ingrown toenails don’t necessarily need to attend an emergency department.
In the June Quarter 2,008 category 5 patients attended Mackay emergency departments seeking treatment, many of whom could have sought their less-urgent treatment elsewhere.
Some of these presentations included requests for repeat prescriptions, itches and requests for a medical certificate.
If you are unsure if you should attend the ED, call 13 HEALTH or your GP for advice.
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 Mackay HHS Chief Executive Susan Gannon:
“We understand that it can be difficult to get a GP appointment for people who would like to be bulk billed and while no patient will ever be refused care at any of our hospitals, our EDs are prioritised for seriously ill and injured patients.
“Some people with non-urgent conditions could face longer waits in emergency and could be treated faster by a GP.
“There may be longer waiting times for less urgent patients if the staff are busy with true emergencies.”
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
