Ripley Satellite Hospital turning away patients, 16 ambulances ramped at Ipswich Hospital

Furious residents have unloaded after a southeast Queensland satellite hospital turned away patients yesterday, while claims emerged of 16 ambulances ramped outside a nearby base hospital.

Ambulance ramping at Ipswich Base Hospital has been blamed on a respiratory epidemic. File Picture: David Clark

A southeast Queensland satellite hospital, yesterday turned away patients, while a nearby base hospital had 16 ambulances ramped outside.

Furious residents say they had to try GP clinics due to the congestion at Ripley Satellite Hospital and Ipswich Hospital.

West Moreton Health’s Chief Executive Hannah Bloch confirmed Thursday, May 2, was particularly busy but said both hospitals were now back to normal.

Residents vented their fury on a local Facebook page after signs were put up at Ripley Satellite Hospital warning of long wait times.

Some reported that they were turned away, with only simple health problems being treated on Thursday.

The Queensland Times also received reports of a large number of ambulances ramped at the Ipswich Hospital on Thursday.

Some estimates suggested at least 16 were parked outside the Emergency Department, with more parked around the corner.

“Our dedicated staff at Ipswich Hospital and Ripley Satellite Hospital continue to provide exceptional care, and yesterday was particularly busy,” Ms Bloch said.

“We are currently experiencing a high volume of patients with respiratory illnesses, which is common for this time of year.

“To ensure the best possible care for everyone, the community can help by seeking the right level of care based on their needs.

“This could be a visit to their GP, a local pharmacy, an urgent care clinic or the emergency department for life-threatening cases.

“We have strong internal procedures in place to manage busy periods.

“Patient flow has returned to normal this morning (Friday, May 3) thanks to the incredible work of our staff”.

Ripley Satellite Hospital in Ipswich's south. File Picture: Queensland Government

One resident claimed they were referred to the satellite hospital by 13 Health as their issue required emergency triage.

“I was referred to the satellite hospital by 13 Health as my issue cannot be dealt with by a GP,” they posted.

“I was ‘snubbed’ and told to go to Ipswich.

“Sadly though, so many GP’s are appointment only.

“I reported the issue and a liaison officer at West Moreton Health said they were looking into it”.

Another resident said they had experienced similar treatment at the satellite hospital.

Many locals blamed the delays on wait times and costs for GPs, forcing patients to try their luck at hospitals.

Ambulance ramping at Ipswich Hospital has been an ongoing problem. File picture

“The Ripley Satellite Hospital said they treat minor infections, which is what I had after stitches on my foot were removed,” one local said.

“They tried sending me to Ipswich because they ‘don’t do swaps or IV needles’”.

Another said they had found it hard to make appointments at GPs after 4pm, with wait times for a convenient consultation potentially taking weeks.

The problems came after similar claims about other southeast Queensland satellite hospitals, including at Caboolture.

The facilities were set up to take pressure off overloaded base hospitals by encouraging patients with non-urgent problems to first visit satellite hospitals.

However there has been criticism the name “hospital’’ had created confusion, with many people expecting more complex ailments could be treated there.

The Queensland Times understands that patient number have returned to normal at the Ripley Satellite Hospital as at 2pm Friday, May 3