New step taken to address hospital bed shortages

The national head of the medical college representing specialist emergency physicians will visit Queensland next month to speak to members about issues at public hospitals, including bed shortages.

Supplied image of Ambulance ramping and patients in the corridors of the PA Hospital.

THE national head of the medical college representing specialist emergency physicians will visit Queensland next month to speak to members about issues at public hospitals, including bed shortages.

Simon Judkins, the Melbourne-based president of the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM), said the body supported Redland Hospital emergency doctor Michael Cameron, who this week went public on his frustrations the facility has failed to expand with the region’s fast-growing population.

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Dr Cameron said the lack of an intensive care unit, not enough in-patient beds and limited access to key medical specialists was compromising patient care at the hospital, part of the Metro South Hospital and Health Service.

“ACEM would welcome working with the Metro South HHS on mitigating and addressing existing demand pressures, as our members are on the frontline and are best placed to offer evidence-based practical approaches,” Dr Judkins said.

“Emergency physicians care for any patient, any time. We need long-term system-wide reforms to support equal access to hospital care regardless of which Metro South Emergency Department the patient presents to.”

Dr Michael Cameron, an emergency physician at Redland Hospital, who wrote an open letter to the People of Redlands about lack of beds and access to medical specialties at Redland Hospital. Picture: AAP/Steve Pohlner

Dr Cameron highlighted overcrowded EDs across the Metro South HHS, including the Logan and Princess Alexandra Hospitals.

He joined Dr Judkins in rejecting suggestions that people turning up at emergency departments with complaints that could be seen by a general practitioner were the main reason for long delays and overcrowding.

“The main cause of overcrowded emergency departments is the ongoing issue of admitted patients having to stay longer in the emergency department because they are unable to access beds on the wards of the hospital for their ongoing care,” Dr Judkins said.

“Continuing to build capacity into the overall hospital system in order to provide proper care for the region’s rapidly growing population is the key.”

Australian Medical Association Queensland president Dilip Dhupelia said the AMA had regular discussions with the Palaszczuk Government about the need for hospital infrastructure and medical workforce to keep pace with demand, particularly in fast-growing areas, such as Brisbane’s southside.

“I will meet with representatives of Metro South Hospital and Health Service in the very near future to discuss the concerns that have been raised,” he said.