The number of presentations to Sunshine Coast public hospital emergency departments has jumped 12 per cent in the first quarter of this year compared to last year.
But the State Opposition pounced on the release of the emergency department figures to highlight issues with ambulance ramping at hospitals.
More than 59,900 patients sought care at Sunshine Coast emergency departments between January and March, up more than 6500 on the same period in 2023.
Meanwhile waiting times across all categories remained steady at 16 minutes despite the surge and 100 per cent of critical care patients were seen within the crucial two-minute window.
A Sunshine Coast Health spokesperson put the rise in emergency presentations down to population increase, a high number of respiratory virus cases and the holiday period.
The first-quarter surge follows immediately after the busiest month ever for the Sunshine Coast University Hospital’s emergency department, which saw an average 330 patients a day in December.
The region’s hospitals have also seen an increased number of patients for elective surgery.
The number of patients who received elective surgeries in the first quarter of the year was 3630 – 17 per cent more than the same quarter in 2023.
Sunshine Coast Health chief executive Dr Peter Gillies commended staff for the way they had handled the increased patient loads.
“Demand on our EDs continues to increase, and we can see our patient flow initiatives are making a difference in supporting our teams to effectively manage the increase in patients,” Dr Gillies said.
“We’ve also seen a significant increase in patients receiving elective surgery.
“These outcomes are achievable thanks to our dedicated staff, and I would like to thank our frontline teams for their commitment to providing quality care for the people of the Sunshine Coast.”
An Opposition media release said ambulance ramping at Nambour Hospital rose by 5.5 per cent on the previous quarter to 45 per cent, 4 per cent to 36 per cent at Gympie, and 2.2 per cent to 35.2 per cent at SCUH.
Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates said the Labor government had spent record amounts to break the worst records.
“Queenslander’s stories about our deteriorating health system are real and it’s not the fault of my hardworking colleagues, the doctors, nurses and paramedics,” Ms Bates said.
“This is the result of a decade of Queensland Labor and four failed health ministers.”
Sunshine Coast Health is exploring other options for streamlining care and is working with the Queensland Ambulance Service and the primary health network in the hope that alternative pathways will ultimately reduce pressure on emergency departments.
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