Ambulance demand up with flu

RESIDENTS are being urged to remain patient and co-operate with health authorities as the flu season sparks a record demand for the Queensland Ambulance Service.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick said an unprecedented flu outbreak contributed to a 13 per cent increase in Triple Zero calls so far this financial year.

“Last Monday was the busiest day on record for the QAS with an extra 613 Triple Zero (000) calls fielded compared to the same day in 2016,” Mr Dick said.

“The most significant growth has been in Code 1 cases, the most critical patients, where there has been a 22 per cent increase in the past week, compared to the same period last year.

“In the past fortnight the QAS has experienced eight of its 10 busiest days on record for Code 1 incidents.

“There have been 19,216 confirmed flu cases notified to Queensland Health so far this year and while demand has increased across the state it’s been most prevalent in south-east Queensland.”

Mr Dick said while the Queensland Government was responding to increasing demand for health services, the Turnbull government also need to do its part.

“That’s why I’m calling on the Turnbull government to abandon any proposed cuts to funding for the national After Hours Home Doctor Service,” he said.

Media reports indicate that access to after-hours doctors could collapse and emergency departments across Australia could be overrun with one million additional patients if the Turnbull government halves the Medicare rebate for home visits.