A new report from the Australian Medical Association shows that Caboolture Hospital ranks fifth among public hospitals in Queensland with the worst waiting time for emergency cases, specifically for patients in stretchers from ambulances.
AMA’s 2022 public health report card revealed that the longest waiting time for a patient brought in by an ambulance at Caboolture Hospital was 465 minutes or almost eight hours in August 2021. However, the numbers improved in January 2022 when the median waiting time dropped to 264 minutes or 4.4 hours.
The Performance Data from Queensland Health, on the other hand, indicated that between October to December 2021, Caboolture Hospital had a 20-minute median waiting time for treating Category 3 patients or potentially life-threatening cases, where patients should be seen by a treating doctor or nurse within 30 minutes of arriving.
Yet, transfers off-stretcher within 30 minutes, as well as patients seen within the clinically recommended time frames recommended by the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, comprised just 65 per cent of the emergency cases.
1,500 More Beds Needed
AMA Queensland Prof Chris Perry said that Queensland public hospitals have been “performing well overall” in spite of the stretched resources. However, he acknowledged the long waiting times in the emergency departments and said that Queensland needs 1,500 more beds to improve ramping times.
“Our hospitals must run at less than 90 per cent occupancy so there is surge capacity, and Hospital and Health Services must conduct a detailed analysis of patient flow within the hospital and report against that analysis,” Prof Perry said.
“This can work if it is underpinned by strong effective leadership, innovation, and appropriate investment by the State and Federal Governments.”
Caboolture Hospital is currently undergoing major redevelopment that will see the delivery of:
- a new five storey Clinical Services Building
- a new Multi-Storey Carpark
- an expansion and refurbishment program that will enhance and modernise spaces within a number of areas of the existing hospital
- the relocation of Building Engineering and Maintenance Services into a new facility
The improvements are expected to address the projected population growth of 51 per cent by 2031. The redevelopment is expected to finish in 2023.
Queensland Health $21-Million Budget Cut for 2022
Meanwhile, Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said that all states, including Queensland, asked for more funding from the Federal Government to improve the services of the public health system. However, the recent Budget Papers indicated a $21-million cut for Queensland public hospitals.
“Queensland hospitals losing federal funding will mean Queenslanders will have to wait longer for the health treatment they deserve,” Treasurer and Minister for Trade and Investment Cameron Dick said.
