ACEM identified five priority areas for the new government to help alleviate pressures on Queensland’s struggling EDs. This included increasing the number of inpatient hospital beds and employing more of the trained health workers needed to safely staff them. The College calls on Mr Crisafulli and the incoming Health Minister to ensure that access to healthcare is an integral part of their plan of action for their first 100 days in government.
“We congratulate David Crisafulli and the Liberal National Party on forming a new government and look forward to working together on the important task of protecting and restoring Queensland’s overwhelmed and under-resourced emergency departments,” ACEM Queensland Faculty Chair Dr Shantha Raghwan said.
During the election campaign, ACEM welcomed the LNP’s commitment to reducing ambulance ramping and its focus on developing a 7-day hospital model. The College awaits further information about the practical implications of how these initiatives will be implemented, with clinician input vital to their chance for success.
ACEM also advocated for more full-time inpatient specialist and allied health support workers in the public hospital system and available outside of normal business hours, an Access Block Review completed by the end of 2025; and the implementation of ACEM’s Hospital Access Targets.
“We will support solutions that align with the five fixes we outlined during the election campaign. Our hospitals need more beds, more staff, and more resources, to provide the world-class service expected by Queenslanders, no matter where they live,” Dr Raghwan said. “Queensland’s emergency departments can’t wait any longer.”
“We invite the new government to work with the College on implementing evidence-based solutions to ensure continued high-quality emergency care for all Queenslanders.”
ACEM published a Queensland election backgrounder detailing the evidence behind these five fixes. To download Queensland Election 2024: Queensland’s emergency departments can’t wait any longer, click here.
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:
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