The peak body for emergency medicine in Australia and New Zealand notes the funding announcement by the Tasmanian government to help relieve pressure on emergency departments at hospitals in Hobart and Launceston.
Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) President Dr Simon Judkins said: “The announcement presents an opportunity to work in collaboration with the government, hospital leadership and health department executives to realise improvements to patients’ experiences of care.”
ACEM Tasmania Faculty Chair Dr Brian Doyle said the College welcomes the funding package. “It is a good first step, with more work to be done.”
“Continuing to build capacity into the overall hospital system in order to provide proper care for the extra patients is the key,” Dr Doyle said.
“ACEM would welcome working with the Secretary of the Department of Health, Michael Pervan, on mitigating and addressing existing demand pressures as our members are on the frontline and are best placed to offer evidence-based practical approaches.”
ACEM has been outspoken in calling for solutions to access block, especially improving models of care for patients with acute mental and behavioural conditions, including mandatory reporting of cases involving extreme waiting times for specialised care.
Dr Judkins added: “We look forward to meeting with the department and discussing long term solutions to improve patient outcomes.”
Contact
Andre Khoury
ACEM Public Affairs Manager
03 8679 8813
0498 068 023
[email protected]