Despite unprecedented pressures, serious ED presentations continue to be seen on time in the North West

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 median wait time for treatment in North West emergency departments was 12 minutes.

However, less urgent presentations are placing unnecessary pressure on the system.

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

In the first six months of 2023 2,096 category 5 patients attended NW emergency departments seeking treatment, many of whom could have sought their less-urgent treatment elsewhere.

Some of these presentations included cellulitis and uncomplicated type two diabetes.

If you are unsure if you should attend the ED, call 13 HEALTH or your GP for advice.

You can also visit the North West HHS 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 North West HHS Chief Executive, Sean Birgan:

“Unfortunately, we are seeing an increase in people with non-urgent conditions.

“These non-urgent cases are waiting extended periods of time in our emergency departments when they could be treated faster at their local GP clinic.

“Some long waits are for things like cellulitis, and while we will never refuse treatment, our EDs are always prioritised for seriously ill and injured patients.”

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