It’s Code Red for RHH
Leaked report shows dire state of capital emergency department
DAMNING figures leaked from the Royal Hobart Hospital reveal the state capital’s emergency department has fallen further behind in its capacity to deliver care.
The number of patients spending more than 24 hours in the ED more than doubled in 2017 to 1014, up from 437 in 2016, 415 in 2015 and 531 in 2014, according to the document — obtained by health policy analyst Martyn Goddard.
The number of patients moved to an inpatient ward within four hours was 16 per cent last year, down from 19 per cent the previous year.
And ambulance ramping skyrocketed, with 23 per cent ramped for more than 15 minutes in 2017 and 18 per cent for more than 30 minutes.
That compares with 10 per cent of ambulances ramped for more than 15 minutes and 6 per cent for more than 30 minutes in 2016.
The average wait time for admitted patients to be moved to a ward was more than 10 hours.
“The data, prepared within the hospital and circulated to key staff, cover the past six years and show how the emer- gency department has increasingly struggled under budget cuts by the past two state governments,” Mr Goddard said.
RHH Medical Staff Association chairman Frank Nicklason said the national target for moving admitted patients to a ward within four hours was between 60 and 70 per cent.
“The key figure there is that the emergency department at the RHH simply hasn’t been able to admit patients who require admission from the emergency department quickly enough,” Dr Nicklason said.
“There is a higher risk of death and complications for patients who have to spend a long time in the emergency department.”
The increase in ED presentations from 2016 to 2017 was 2.7 per cent, significantly below the usual 4.5 per cent a year.
Deputy premier Jeremy Rockliff said he had not seen the figures but the Government had employed an additional 350 medical professionals, including 255 nurses, in the health system.
Opposition Leader Rebecca White said the fact the number of people waiting more than 24 hours had doubled was a clear demonstration of a system in crisis.