Some ambulance patients have had to wait more than seven hours on a stretcher before getting a bed at Sunshine Coast hospitals, figures have revealed.
The statistics show patients have endured lengthy delays, waiting to be transferred from the care of ambulance staff to the care of the emergency department, according to Patient Off-Stretcher Times from February to June.
The issue has been raised by the Queensland LNP opposition, who released the figures more widely.
Shadow Health Minister Ros Bates described it as a symptom of the state’s health crisis.
The Opposition noted that one patient waited for 7 hours 42 minutes at Nambour Hospital, while another waited for 7 hours 40 minutes at SCUH, in April.
A Queensland Health spokesperson has responded to the issue, saying the state had “some of the best free health care in the world”, before adding, “But like many health systems, it is facing increased pressure.
“This is driven by a growing and ageing population, difficulty accessing aged, disability and primary care, declining private health cover and COVID-19,” the spokesperson said.
“We are seeing more higher acuity patients present to our hospitals, with more complex and chronic conditions than ever before.
“Queensland has experienced three COVID-19 peaks this year, which has also increased pressure on our health system with high numbers of hospitalisations as well as a large number of furloughed staff.
“Despite these pressures, all hospital and ambulance staff continue to provide an exceptional level of care, which is testament to their skill, dedication and a commitment to helping those in need.”
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor with your name and suburb at Sunshine Coast News via: news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au
Ms Bates said: “It’s unacceptable for any Queenslander to wait more than seven hours on a stretcher before getting a hospital bed.
“As a nurse and former hospital administrator, I know how frustrating it is for paramedics and patients.
“These dedicated men and women don’t want to spend their entire shift sitting at the end of a ramp, while other calls go unanswered.
“The embattled Health Minister has reduced the number of hospital beds, overseen the bungled DNA forensics lab and accused the Opposition of ‘making up stories’ after Mackay women bravely spoke up about that hospital’s obstetrics and gynaecology ward.”
The Queensland Health spokesperson noted that, “All emergency departments experience surges in ambulance arrivals, and at times, there can be short delays in transferring patients from the ambulance stretcher on to a bed.
“However, all Category 1 patients continue to be seen within two minutes of presenting at an emergency department.”
“Critically, the timeliness of the response is managed to ensure the most urgent patients are seen first.”
The spokesperson said a record $23.6 billion investment in health and ambulance services in 2022-23 would help address immediate and long-term priorities.
“This includes hiring an additional 9475 frontline workers by 2024, building new and expanded hospitals which will create an extra 2509 beds and redesigning and restructuring models of care to support our staff and ensure Queenslanders will continue to receive world-class health care.”
SUBSCRIBE here now for our FREE news feed, direct to your inbox daily!
