Qld satellite hospitals beset by long waiting times, overworked staff

The state government’s satellite hospitals, spruiked as easing the burden on crowded emergency departments, have been slammed over long waiting times, under-pressure staff and misdiagnoses. And even doctors are confused about what they offer.

Stephanie Bennett, Mikaela Mulveney and Jackie Sinnerton

4 min read

January 5, 2024 - 1:35PM

QLD News

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The state government’s satellite hospitals, spruiked as easing the burden on crowded emergency departments, have been slammed over long waiting times, under-pressure staff and misdiagnoses.

There has also been confusion among patients travelling to the newly opened centres at Kallangur and Caboolture north of Brisbane, with floods of people turning up over the new year period ultimately sent to emergency departments – or home.

And it’s not just potential patients who are confused about the centres, with one of the state’s top doctors saying even she didn’t know exactly what services were on offer at the satellite hospital.

Courtney Turner said a trip to the new Kallangur satellite hospital on New Year’s Eve left her waiting for treatment for her sick two-year-old son for three hours.

She said she had taken her child to the new satellite hospital – which opened in early December – to avoid “clogging up” the emergency department. But she said they should have gone straight to the ED.”

Local Arvy Poulose had a positive experience at the new Kallangur satellite hospital.

Despite arriving just half an hour after the 8am opening time, Ms Turner’s son was not attended to for three hours.

“He was crying, because (a nurse) was so rough when looking in his ears and mouth. (They were) almost annoyed at him for being upset, after waiting three hours,” she said.

Ms Turner said after being unsatisfied with the treatment she took her child to The Prince Charles Hospital emergency department, where he was taken to a bed almost immediately and diagnosed with a viral infection.

“Something needs to be done about it,” she said.

“This is what our taxpayer dollars are going towards, but it’s not being done properly.

Alex Tomlin waited for more than an hour and half at the Caboolture satellite hospital after her daughter had an object lodged in her eye – but was warned there was a chance the clinic would not have the right equipment to help.

“That’s the bummer about these places – they can’t tell you straight up if they can fix the problem or not. You wait,” she said.

“I’m just worried now we’ll get through, and be sent to the Royal.”

Arvy Poulose said he was referred to Kallangur satellite hospital by his GP to get a rash on his arms inspected.

While the local Kallangur resident had been at the clinic for more than an hour, he said he preferred it to waiting in emergency department.

Australian Medical Association President Dr Maria Boulton. File picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Another patient exiting the Kallangur site said she was forced to return for a second time after the satellite hospital had “never sent her X-ray referral”, after waiting more two and a half hours at the clinic the first time for her wrist injury last month.

However she said on Wednesday the staff were “a lot of help” and assisted in setting up another appointment.

President of the Australian Medical Association Maria Boulton, who works as a general practitioner, told The Courier-Mail that doctors were confused as to what each hospital could cope with and where to refer patients.

“It’s no wonder that the public is confused. Doctors haven’t even been given clear details of what is offered where. They are not really hospitals but they don’t operate as medical centres either. I wouldn’t even know what is a better name to call them,” Dr Boulton said.

While the AMAQ chief welcomes the investment into healthcare with the satellite hospitals at Kallangur, Caboolture, Tugun, Redlands and Ripley, she insists on more transparency.

“Doctors and patients need to know where to go without wasting valuable time. I believe that different services are offered at different places,” she said.

The decision to include the word “hospital” in the naming of the sites – which do not have emergency departments, overnight beds, close at 10pm and are predominantly staffed by nurses – has been controversial since it was first announced by Labor before the 2020 election.

In 2022, The Courier-Mail revealed leaked audio of a senior Queensland Health director telling staff she had lobbied the government not to brand the sites as hospitals fearing confusion – a claim which has been repeated by the LNP.

One parent claimed they had taken their child to the Caboolture Satellite Hospital with a suspected broken foot and was told there were not fractures found, only for a subsequent trip to Redcliffe Hospital showing a break.

Health Minister Shannon Fentiman opens the Redlands satellite hospital in August.

Another mother claimed her case was under investigation after a misdiagnosis of her daughter at the Caboolture Satellite Hospital led to emergency surgery, while others said they had been turned away because they were “overwhelmed” with patients or because they had arrived in the late afternoon.

Queensland Health told The Courier-Mail close to 1500 patients had presented to the Kallangur Satellite Hospital since it opened on December 11 with the Caboolture Satellite Hospital also seeing a high number of presentations over the break, including on Boxing Day.

But a spokeswoman also reiterated that satellite hospitals were designed to treat patients only with “minor injuries and illnesses”.

“If patients are experiencing significant symptoms such as chest pain, or have suffered a head injury, it is advised they present to a hospital emergency department such as at The Prince Charles Hospital, Redcliffe Hospital or Caboolture Hospital,” she said.

Queensland Health also said to manage the spike in demand, staff conduct “regular rounding in the waiting room to assess patient’s conditions and provide alternative care pathways where appropriate”.

“One of these is Virtual ED, an online support service for Metro North patients. Virtual ED allows patients to continue their care in a timely fashion and from the comfort of their own home,” she said.

“The most unwell patients will always be seen first.

“It is also important to acknowledge and thank the hardworking staff at all Metro North Health facilities who give up their Christmas and new year’s to assist the community.

“We appreciate their dedication to the wellbeing of others.”