Queenslanders’ 10-hour+ wait for ambos after triple-0 calls

As demand for the state’s ambulance service continues to blow out, new figures reveal dozens of Queenslanders were forced to wait more than 10 hours for ambulances after dialling triple-0.

Dozens of Queenslanders have waited 10 hours or more for an ambulance to be dispatched to them after calling triple-0, amid an upswing in demand for the state’s ambulance service.

In the 18 months to November 2021, there was one patient who had their case “pending” for almost 19 hours after they contacted triple-0.

And there were about 37 other patients over the same period who had their cases “pending” for 10 hours or more.

A case is deemed to be pending from the time the patient gives their details to the operator through to the time an ambulance is dispatched to them.

But the Queensland Ambulance Service also says a case can remain pending while a clinician assesses a patient’s condition over the phone.

This can ultimately lead to the patient being referred to alternative care when an ambulance is not required.

Among the top times recorded in the 18 months to November was one patient from Townsville who had their case pending for 16.4 hours.

Another patient from the Wide Bay region had their case pending for 18.9 hours, another from Mackay had their case pending for 17.7 hours, while another from Metro North had their case pending for 13.7 hours.

The figures were uncovered in a new parliamentary question on notice that revealed the top five pending cases across every ambulance region for every month between June 2020 and November 2021.

A QAS spokesman said the data included the “full range” of requests for ambulance assistance, including those that are non-life threatening – such as a toothache or cut finger.

He also said the most critical patients in imminent, life-threatening emergencies were prioritised above all else and received an “immediate and appropriate response”.

“In times of demand surge, less time critical patients are regularly contacted by clinical health professionals including senior paramedics and doctors, to confirm the patient’s clinical condition and are upgraded to a faster response if required,” the spokesman said.

“The Queensland Ambulance Service always endeavours to provide the quickest possible response to patients in the community.”

Meanwhile, new figures have also revealed the QAS experienced a 2.9 per cent jump in demand in 2020-21, as they took on an extra 34,500 incidents compared to the year before. They responded to 1.210 million incidents in 2020-21 – up from 1.175 million in 2019-20.