Hospital’s emergency department swamped
PATIENTS were forced to wait hours to see a doctor as Cairns Hospital reached critical patient levels on Monday.
But reports of ambulances ramping and the emergency department overflowing are not new, with the hospital hitting capacity just three months ago.
Cairns Hospital chief executive Julie Hartley-Jones said the ED experienced a surge in presentations at about 10am on June 1 and moved to Escalation Level Three – formally known as ‘Code Black’.
By 3.30pm there had been almost 130 presentations to the ED, with 26 of those listed as urgent patients.
There was a total of 203 presentations to the ward that day.
“By way of comparison, at 3.30pm the day before (May 31) there had been 109 presentations with a total of 179 presentations for the day,’’ Ms Hartley-Jones said.
“During periods of high demand, less urgent patients may experience longer waits for treatment.
“Regardless of the severity of someone’s condition, people should always seek treatment if required – the last thing we want to see is someone stay at home because they are worried the ED is too busy.”
In May, the ED averaged 170 presentations a day, more than last year’s average of 168.
“Cairns Hospital’s emergency department spent the vast majority of May operating at normal levels (Escalation Level One),” Ms Hartley-Jones added.
“I couldn’t be prouder of our hard-working ED staff, who work tirelessly to provide topquality health care to the Far Northern community during spikes in demand for our services.”
The hospital returned to normal operating levels yesterday.
‘Code Black’ was also called on February 26, forcing managers to transfer sick people to rural hospitals to free up beds.
Ms Hartley-Jones said the problem stemmed from longstay patients, who should be in residential homes or disability beds, taking up acute beds.
The last thing we want to see is someone stay at home because they are worried the emergency
department is too busy CHIEF EXECUTIVE JULIE HARTLEY- JONES AG ACTION PULLS IN THE
CROWDS