Hospital overcrowding and staffing shortages are greatly impacting emergency department (ED) patients and must be a key focus for the next ACT government, according to the peak body for emergency medicine in Australia.
The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM; the College) acknowledged that the ACT health system was benefiting from recent investment and has urged all sides of politics to build upon this progress and prioritise solutions to improve patient flow.
ACEM has contacted all major parties, outlining five key electoral priority areas to help more people in the ACT get safer, faster emergency care:
- 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 President Dr Stephen Gourley called for all sides of politics to investigate whole-of-system solutions to address the issues of staffing shortages and patient overcrowding.
“The situation in ACT emergency departments is improving, but we still have Canberrans stranded in ED waiting rooms and corridors, needing transfer to the next stage of their treatment,” Dr Gourley said.
“It doesn’t have to be this way. We have the solutions and are ready and willing to work with the ACT government to deliver these improvements to patient care.”
Dr Gourley has encouraged all sides of politics to support ACEM’s five research-based key electoral priority areas to improve the delivery of safer emergency care to the people of the Territory.
Background:
ACEM is the peak body for emergency medicine in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, responsible for training emergency physicians and the advancement of professional standards.
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