Flu, COVID, set record-breaking autumn for Queensland emergency departments
Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor |
More than half a million people sought help at Queensland hospital emergency departments in the June quarter, with some facilities breaking their attendance records.
Queensland Health figures show 575,578 people attended emergency departments across the state in three months.
Health Minister, Yvette D’Ath, said influenza and COVID had challenged the health system like never before.
“The June 2022 quarter has been heavily impacted by the fallout of two Omicron waves and the start of the worst influenza season the state has experienced in several years.
“The multiple Omicron surges since the start of this year have challenged our hospitals and emergency departments like never before.
“Since May, the number of Queensland Health workers on sick leave from COVID and other illnesses has averaged at more than 4,000.
“Despite this toll on our health workforce, hardworking staff in our busiest hospitals rose to the challenge.”
Cairns Hospital had its busiest day ever on May 3, treating 314 people in a 24-hour period, attributing the surge to a local GP shortage, and a long weekend at the start of the tourist season.
It was a 10 per cent increase on the previous record, set in February 2021. Cairns recorded its second busiest day a fortnight later.
During the June quarter, Logan Hospital had its second highest number of presentations ever, while Prince Charles Hospital recorded a 31 per cent rise in category 1 ED presentations, involving urgent or life-threatening conditions.
The Government and Queensland Health have been regularly criticised over ambulance ramping, long waits to be seen, and lengthy delays finding beds for patients who need to be admitted to hospital.
But Ms D’Ath said the system is performing well under unprecedented pressure.
“The median wait time for the 575,578 people who attended our emergency departments was 17 minutes.
“Health systems in every jurisdiction are being challenged by the pandemic, historic Commonwealth underfunding and primary health and Medicare failures.
“There are still more than 500 Queensland public hospital beds being occupied by long-stay aged and disability care patients who would be better placed in other care settings.
“The key to tackling these challenges lies in more investment, with more sustainable health funding from the Commonwealth, which is what all the states and territories are seeking.”
