Patient safety and care in Emergency Departments (EDs) in Victoria is challenging at all times, but we have grave concerns for patients if budget cuts impact patient services.
Staff working in EDs are already struggling to meet the growing number of ambulance arrivals and patient presentations within current resources. Budget shortfalls that impact hospital capacity and services will exacerbate an already critical situation in most EDs.
In a bad flu year and at a time that 24 hour ED waits are blowing out across Victoria, particularly for mental health patients, any reduction in system capacity when, in fact, we need investment in growing ED capacity and improving access, will put patient care at further risk. The stress this puts on patients, families and frontline staff is totally unacceptable.
The clear danger for patients will be increased risk of medical error, delays to care and poor patient outcomes. It will compromise the ability of EDs to be able to see and assess patients in any appropriate timeframe and provide the focussed care needed in those critical time frames. It’s that simple.
Critical interventions are already compromised in our overcrowded EDs. Staff are describing an intolerable situation for patients in waiting rooms and hallways. Yet Emergency Departments are facing pressure from Government to do things faster.
The impacts on staff can also be significant ; the dedicated workforce of ED staff who come to work to help patients each day are feeling the pressure, with many experienced staff choosing to leave this increasingly stressful environment. These are serious and significant concerns.
Our EDs are the frontline of care for many communities. They need to be well resourced, well supported, and ready to care for patients when, and where they need it. Our current situation, of long waits, frustrated staff, and increasing pressure to reach unrealistic performance indicators, needs urgent attention.
Dr Simon Judkins President Australasian College for Emergency Medicine [email protected].
Media contact
Nicole Newton
0498 068 023
[email protected]