The peak body for emergency medicine in Australia and New Zealand, the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM), has called on Queensland Health to improve system processes.
The call comes as ACEM President Dr Simon Judkins said the College would always support its members and trainees advocating for better patient care.
“We support Dr Michael Cameron, who is a Fellow of the College, and his call for improved patient outcomes at Redland Hospital,” Dr Judkins said.
“ACEM would welcome working with the Metro South Hospital and Health Service on mitigating and addressing existing demand pressures as our members are on the frontline and are best placed to offer evidence-based practical approaches.
“Emergency physicians care for any patient, any time. We need long-term system wide reforms to support equal access to hospital care regardless of which Metro South Emergency Department the patient presents to.”
Dr Judkins rejected commentary that GP-type patients in emergency departments were the main reason for long delays and overcrowding.
“The main cause of overcrowded emergency departments is the ongoing issue of admitted patients having to stay longer in the emergency department because they are unable to access beds on the wards of the hospital for their ongoing care,” Dr Judkins said.
“Continuing to build capacity into the overall hospital system in order to provide proper care for the region’s rapidly growing population is the key.”
Dr Judkins will visit Queensland next month and speak to emergency physicians on the ground, as well as to advocate for action around staffing levels, funding and increased bed capacity, and better management of chronic disease and improved community-based care.
Background
ACEM is the peak body for emergency medicine in Australia and New Zealand, responsible for training emergency physicians and advancement of professional standards. www.acem.org.au
Contact
Andre Khoury
ACEM Public Affairs Manager
03 8679 8813
0498 068 023
[email protected]