Rockhampton Hospital receives 12 new treatment areas for its emergency department

A regional hospital has boosted its capacity for non complex cases, ending the need for patients to be treated in hallways.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls and Rockhampton MP visit the 12 treatment area expansion of Rockhampton hospital Emergency Department on Wednesday, July 16.

Rockhampton Hospital has boosted its emergency care capacity with 12 new treatment areas now handling everything from broken bones to ear infections – ending the need for patients to be treated in hallways.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Tim Nicholls said the expansion gave emergency department staff more capacity, while a longer-term solution was finalised.

The 12 new treatments areas have been set up in the former orthopaedic clinic, which was relocated in June, to treat non-complex emergencies such as sprains and strains, minor cuts, ear and tooth pain, respiratory infections and superficial burns.

“They (patients) can come through here rather than go into ED,” Mr Nicholls said.

“That frees up an additional nine spaces in the emergency department.

“So importantly patients are no longer needing to be treated on stretchers in the aisles or in the alley ways. They are able to be treated, and properly treated in proper treatment spaces.”

Mr Nicholls said it was a 50 per cent increase in the number of proper treatment spaces in ED, “ensuring better and more appropriate treatment for people who arrive at ED”.

He said 140 to 150 people went to the Rockhampton Hospital ED daily, and now about half of that number would go to the new treatment area and be discharged more rapidly.

Mr Nicholls, who visited the new area on Wednesday with Rockhampton MP Donna Kirkland, described the new area as “real change” in the way health care was delivered in Rockhampton Hospital.

“We are really very hopeful that it’ll make a difference to the number of people who can be seen, how quickly they are seen and the treatment they receive.”

To staff the new area, Mr Nicholls said the Hospital was in the process of recruiting nine full time equivalent nurses.

When asked about any news on ED upgrades, Mr Nicholls said master planning was still under way and the government was determined to get it right.

“We’re working closely with the administration here … to make sure that we are dealing with the matters and planning for the future for the long term, not just for the short term, and making sure it is properly funded as well,” he said.

The 12 treatment area expansion started operating at the beginning of this week.