Despite unprecedented pressures, serious ED presentations continue to be seen on time in Cairns

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.

The latest Queensland Health performance data shows that all category 1 patients – the most urgent cases – who presented to the Cairns Hospital emergency department were seen by a clinician within two minutes of arriving, while 73 per cent of all cases were seen within clinically recommended times.

Patients with conditions such as UTIs, earaches and ingrown toenails don’t necessarily need to attend an emergency department.

In the three-month period from April to June this year, 6,368 category 5 patients attend Cairns and Hinterland Hospital emergency departments seeking treatment, many of whom could have sought their less-urgent treatment elsewhere.

Some presentations included requests for medical certificates, basic over-the-counter prescriptions, and suture removals.

In the most extreme case, a Cairns Hospital patient waited over 7 hours to be seen by an emergency department.

If you are unsure whether the emergency department is the best option for you, call your GP or 13 HEALTH for advice. You can also visit the Cairns and Hinterland HHS website for more information on our emergency departments and other health services.

Quotes attributable to Health Minister 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 CHHHS Chief Executive Leena Singh:

“No patient will be refused care at any of our hospitals, however seriously ill and injured patients will always be prioritised in our EDs.

“Less urgent presentations place unnecessary pressure on the system and, potentially, put the lives of others at risk.

“If you are unsure whether you need to go to the emergency department, there are a number of other options available to you.

“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

ENDS