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

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.

All 264 Category 1 patients – the most urgent cases – were seen by a clinician within two minutes of arriving at Darling Downs hospital emergency departments, while 69 per cent of all cases were seen within clinically recommended times.

In the first six months of 2023 we had 16,868 category 5 patients come to DD emergency departments seeking treatment, many of whom could have sought their less-urgent treatment elsewhere.

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 Toowoomba Hospital patient waited over eleven hours to be seen.

However, during the June quarter, 47,766 people presented to Darling Downs Health emergency departments, which is an 8 per cent increase compared to the same time last year.

But despite the increased demand with an additional 3,724 presentations, the median wait time across all five categories was only 18 minutes.

At Toowoomba Hospital, the Patient Off Stretcher Time (POST) improved with 67 percent of patients being transferred off a QAS stretcher within 30 minutes. This is an increase from 64 percent during the June 2022 quarter.

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 Darling Downs Health website for more information on our emergency departments and other health services.

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 underinvestment 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 DDHHS Chief Executive Annette Scott:

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

“We know our emergency departments are experiencing a range of pressures, and presentation numbers for less-urgent, category 5 conditions remain high.

“We understand it can be difficult to know when to go to the emergency department, and if you are unsure, there are a number of other options available to you, including urgent care clinics and virtual health services.”

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