Gold Coasters to brace for longer emergency department wait times

Gold Coasters have been warned to brace for longer emergency department wait times as hospitals battle an “unprecedented” surge in patients. Find out what’s being done.

Ambulances parked at the Gold Coast University Hospital Emergency Department. Picture by Scott Fletcher

Gold Coasters have been warned to brace for longer waiting times across the city’s emergency departments as hospitals face an “unprecedented” surge in demand ahead of the winter season.

Emergency departments across the city have been inundated with upwards of 550 patients a day, around 50 more than usual, causing delays to patient care.

“There isn’t one single reason for this, we’re seeing traumas, chronic illnesses, really complex patients and mental health patients,” Dr Hayley Frieslich, acting deputy director of Gold Coast University Hospital emergency department said.

Emergency departments across the Gold Coast are facing an unprecedented surge in patients impacting wait times. Picture: Scott Fletcher.

Dr Frieslich noted that the city’s ageing population meant that emergency departments were often faced with patients who have “complex illnesses” requiring multiple hospital departments and procedures. Adding to the strain, she said, was the fact that GCUH also treats critical patients from towns along the NSW border.

“We know patients get frustrated when they have long wait times and we apologise for that,” Dr Frieslich said.

“But we’re doing everything we can to make sure that everyone gets the care they need.”

Gold Coast Health has since initiated a series of measures to cope with the increased demand including designating extra staff within emergency departments and making beds available that usually wouldn’t be used for overnight patient care across GCUH and Robina Hospital.

“As we’ve been going through the Covid-19 pandemic, it has taught us to be agile in order to meet the needs of the community,” she added.

Deputy Director of Emergency Medicine Dr Hayley Frieslich fronted media on Friday saying emergency departments across the GC were facing increasing pressure. Picture: Supplied

When asked whether Covid was continuing to play a role in the recent surge in emergency department patients, Dr Frieslich said it was and would likely always add pressure on the sector.

“Covid will always play a role in our emergency care – it’s our new normal. just like any other viral illness,” she said.

“But we know that we need to plan, and together with the QAS we are the masters at managing surges and patient care.”

The Gold Coast is slated to receive a new $1.3 billion Coomera Hospital, expected to add 404 beds by the end of 2027. Robina Hospital’s emergency department is also set to be expanded to deliver 114 new beds across 20 extra treatment spaces and additional procedure areas worth $16.5 million.