Prior to the election, ACEM outlined five priority areas to help improve the delivery of emergency care in the ACT. The most urgent priority was to reduce hospital overcrowding and staffing shortages and the College called on all contesting parties to support clinician-led solutions.
ACEM also advocated for:
- New inpatient and Emergency Department facilities adequately staffed for the capacity of the facilities
- The Hospital Access Targets evaluation released and fully implemented – with public reporting – across the Territory
- Implementing a Ministerial Directive aimed at improving patient flow, including direct admissions
- Transfer of stable patients to wards, and streamlined processes for referrals
- Whole of Territory resourcing and infrastructure that supports the provision of specialist inpatient care and discharge planning 7 days a week.
ACEM encourages the new government to engage with the ACT’s emergency clinicians on strategies for implementing these fixes, and other solutions that can improve the delivery of safer emergency care for Canberrans.
The College acknowledged Labor’s recent investments to reduce pressure on emergency departments, as well as its commitment to spend $10 billion on healthcare over the next four years. These commitments include hiring more doctors, nurses, and other health professionals, investing in ACT public hospitals, and Increasing services for children, young people. and vulnerable Canberrans.
ACEM President Dr Stephen Gourley encouraged Mr Barr to continue his government’s focus on implementing solutions for the issues affecting ACT public hospital emergency departments.
“We congratulate Andrew Barr and the Labor Party on forming a new government and look forward to continuing to advocate for measures that will improve healthcare for all Canberrans,” Dr Gourley said.
“We invite the new government to continue to work with the ACT's emergency doctors on implementing solutions to help relieve pressures on staff and patients and build a more sustainable health system that continues to provide high-quality emergency 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
Media Contact:
Nick Buchan, Media Advisor, , [email protected] +61 481 918 488