Qld satellite hospitals ‘diverting hundreds’ from overwhelmed EDs

South East Queensland’s two new satellite hospitals are diverting hundreds of people away from busy emergency departments, early government data has revealed.

The Redlands satellite hospital

South East Queensland’s two new satellite hospitals are diverting hundreds of people away from busy emergency departments, early government data has revealed.

State government data shows the Ripley and Redlands satellite hospitals collective provided care to more than 4600 people from August 30 to October 15.

In the corresponding time frame the Ipswich and Redland Hospital emergency departments have seen a drop in presentation.

According to the Health Minister Shannon Fentiman, the early data indicates the number of low-acuity presentations, Category 4 and 5, at the Ipswich emergency department in September decreased about 350 compared with August.

Early data also showed patients being treated at both satellite hospitals were in and out the door in about 90 minutes.

The average length of stay was one hour and 40 minutes at Ripley and one hour and 33 minutes at Redlands.

Satellite hospitals at Kallangur north of Brisbane and Tugun on the Gold Coast are set to open in the coming weeks, while others at Eight Mile Plains in Brisbane’s south and Bribie Island will open in 2024.

“This early data shows extremely positive signs our satellite hospitals are doing exactly what they are intended to do,” Ms Fentiman said.

“These facilities were designed to direct non-urgent patients away from our busy hospitals and seeing more Category 4 and 5 patients are attending our minor injury and illness clinics than our emergency departments is very promising.

“Across our three new satellite hospitals more than 8200 people have presented to our minor injury and illness clinics since they opened, that is 8200 people being kept out of our busy EDs.”

Originally published as Qld satellite hospitals ‘diverting hundreds’ from overwhelmed EDs