“This initial investment will make a difference in our ability to provide the care needed for our patients as we continue to see increased numbers of ED patients, including more complex cases,” ACEM NZ Faculty Deputy Chair Dr Michael Connelly said. “The College has long advocated for the need to increase funding to boost the recruitment and retention of our emergency medicine workforce. Any investment into the workforce will need to be sustained going forward.”
ACEM shares the concerns raised by the country’s directors of emergency medicine in a letter sent to Health New Zealand in early September, outlining that EDs are struggling to deliver timely, high-quality emergency care for all New Zealanders.
These concerns include long wait times resulting from overcrowding and access or bed block. The pressure on our EDs is amplified because of insufficient inpatient beds for those high acuity patients who need to be admitted to hospital, as well as inadequate staffing and resources.
“We recommended a range of solutions to help ease the pressures facing our EDs,” Dr Connelly said. “These include addressing access block by increasing inpatient bed capacity, investing in the health workforce, modernising IT infrastructure and improved coordination between hospitals and care facilities in the community.
“Health New Zealand has engaged with us positively and expressed willingness to work together on solutions to support our EDs. We look forward to ongoing engagement and collaboration to make meaningful change.”
The College is also pleased that the Government has reconfirmed its $100 million investment to fast-track hospital infrastructure improvements, including for specific EDs.
“We welcome this commitment and encourage the Government to ensure that investment to support our EDs continues and includes focus on making tangible improvements for Māori presenting to EDs and their whānau, to help achieve more equitable health outcomes for Māori.”
Dr Connelly said people who work in EDs across the motu are dedicated to providing excellent care and the promotion of healthy futures for all New Zealanders. EDs are always open for people needing emergency care, however, urgent and life-threatening cases take priority and will always be treated first.
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
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