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 first half of 2023, Metro North saw a total of 170,944 presentations in emergency departments across the HHS.
All 1,100 category 1 patients – the most urgent cases – were seen by a clinician within two minutes of arriving at the emergency departments, while over 60 per cent of all cases were seen within clinically recommended times.
Less urgent presentations however continue to place unnecessary pressure on the system and, potentially, put the lives of others at risk.
Patients with conditions such as toothaches, earaches and ingrown toenails don’t need to attend an emergency department.
In the most extreme case from May to July, a RBWH patient waited over twelve hours to be seen.
In the first six months of 2023, Metro North HHS had close to 8,500 category 5 patients attend Metro North emergency departments seeking treatment, 88 percent of which were seen within the clinically recommended time frame.
