The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM; the College) recently released four solutions to ease the crisis affecting WA’s emergency departments (EDs), calling for a $20 million investment to upskill, support and expand opportunities for more than 300 regional doctors in emergency care; at least 550 more staffed inpatient beds; a 20 per cent increase in specialist support workers available outside business hours; and integrated safety and security staff at every ED across the state.
ACEM has welcomed a number of health commitments from WA’s major parties, particularly in relation to upgrading hospital EDs and associated infrastructure and reducing pressure on EDs via more support for mental health care and aged care.
However, the College has emphasised that the announcements have fallen short of addressing the major issues affecting EDs:
- Access block: To reduce ED overcrowding and access block, more capacity needs to be built into the entire health system.
- Staffing pressures: Healthcare workforce shortages and a lack of specialist training opportunities in regional WA are crippling EDs now and are only set to worsen.
- Violence in the ED: ACEM’s recently released report Breaking Point: An Urgent Call to Action on ED Safety reveals the unacceptable levels of violence and aggression faced every day by Australia’s emergency medicine workforce, and provides recommendations for addressing this significant problem.
ACEM WA Faculty Chair Dr Vanessa Clayden said: “Given the significant pressures confronting our healthcare system, WA’s emergency physicians are pleased to see that health is high on all parties’ agendas.
“However, staff shortages remain a significant issue facing the system, particularly in regional, rural and remote areas, which are already struggling to fill vacancies.
“Violence in the ED also remains an issue — every patient, carer, healthcare worker and hospital staff member deserves a safe place to receive, support and deliver urgently needed healthcare.
“Reducing access block and building a sustainable health workforce in the public system remain the keys to getting more patients the care they need, where they need it – no matter where they live.
'We are pleased to see pledges to increase capacity in the WA health system and look forward to working on the details with the incoming government as we strive to improve wait times and outcomes for our patients,' Dr Clayden said.
Background:
ACEM is the peak body for emergency medicine in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, responsible for training emergency physicians and advancement of professional standards. www.acem.org.au
Media Contact:
Helen Johnson, Manager, Media and Publications, [email protected] +61 427 621 857
Nick Buchan, Media Advisor, [email protected] +61 481 918 488