If properly planned and resourced, it is the College’s position that the proposed increase in staffed nursing home, rehabilitation and aged care beds would see a reduction in the systemic issues that lead to ambulance ramping, emergency department overcrowding, long waits for care and adverse outcomes, including avoidable deaths.
Furthermore, this investment would help make emergency departments (EDs) safer, for all patients, carers, healthcare workers and staff.
The College urges other parties contesting the 2022 Victorian election to also commit to a significant increase in staffed inpatient beds across Victoria.
An increase in a range of staffed beds would support more patients to ‘flow’ through the hospital system instead of getting stuck in emergency departments, creating a bottleneck that jams up other parts of the system and leads to poorer patient outcomes and reduced safety, for everyone.
The College has been drawing attention to the dangerous state of Victoria’s health system and recently outlined evidence-based short and long-term measures to make Victoria’s overcrowded emergency departments safer, for all Victorians.
These solutions include at least 1,000 fully staffed emergency department-accessible hospital beds across Victoria, appropriately trained 24/7 security guards posted at every Victorian ED and an increase in non-clinical staff such as cleaners, patient support assistants and clerical workers.
ACEM Victorian Chair Dr Belinda Hibble said, “Victoria’s emergency doctors welcome the announcement by the Victorian Greens of an election pledge of $1.3 billion for staffed bed increases across Victoria. We believe that if this measure is appropriately delivered and resourced, it would improve patient flow through the health system and ensure more people get the healthcare they need, faster.”
“We encourage all parties contesting the Victorian state election to also commit to staffed bed increases, and to work with health stakeholders on solutions for the healthcare crisis.”
“Victoria’s emergency doctors also encourage Victorians voting in this election to listen to the health experts on what the health system needs, and then tell your politicians: we want safer emergency departments.”
“Because safer emergency departments mean safer patients, safer healthcare workers, and a safer future – for everyone.”
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:
Melissa Howard [email protected] + 61 427 621 857