Australasian College of Emergency Medicine survey shows deterioration in ED access block in Tasmania

The problem of bed block in the emergency departments of our two major hospitals is the worst in the country — and it’s time to change management, says the nation’s top emergency medicine body.

THE nation’s peak body for emergency medicine is calling for a statewide strategy in response to shocking new data on emergency department access block in the state’s two main hospitals.

The Australasian College of Emergency Medicine says the results of the latest access block snapshot should also prompt a clean-out of hospital management.

The College’s most recent Emergency Department surveys, one taken on June 3 and one on September 2, show the Royal Hobart Hospital and Launceston General Hospital recorded the worst results of all hopsitals in Australia for patient access block and 24-hour wait times.

College president Simon Judkins said the September data survey was doubly concerning because it represented a deterioration in the situation at the RHH, despite the survey being taken after a June crisis meeting to address access block.

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The College will meet with Health Minister Sarah Courtney this week to discuss the data.

However, Dr Judkins said throwing more money at the hospitals was not the solution.

“If we look at the number of beds at the Royal Hobart Hospital and the budget ... it’s not vastly different to what we see across the country. So there are other things at play,” Dr Judkins said.

“This is a disaster and it’s been happening for years and years but there doesn’t seem to be the combined will in both hospitals to sort it out.”

“Given the situation is now as desperate as it is, it is in the interests of all Tasmanians that the Government invests in culture change and leadership programs to resolve these issues. It may also be a time to explore who is in those leadership positions and if they are, in fact, the right people to oversee these vital pieces of work and culture change.”

Minister for Health Sarah Courtney. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Ms Courtney acknowledged hospital performance measures had not improved in the face of continually growing demand.

“There is no silver bullet to meet these challenges.

“Ultimately, the changes we need will take co-operation and effort from all levels of staff.

“While the ongoing implementation is yet to deliver the improvements we would like to have seen, I acknowledge the work of the staff in the hospital, and I thank them for their ongoing dedication — I know they are doing everything they can to provide Tasmanians with the best possible healthcare,” Ms Courtney said.

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FACTS:

- The proportion of 24-hour waits in Tasmania has been markedly elevated since early 2015.

- In 2019 almost half of all access blocked patients in Tasmania waited more than 24 hours. The rate across all Australian hospitals was 13 per cent

- In the June survey the LGH was the worst performing hospital in the country with 57 per cent of patients access blocked.

- In the September survey, 57 per cent of patients in the RHH ED were access blocked.

- Tasmania’s two major hospitals accounted for 29 per cent of all access block within Australian hospitals.

Source: Australasian College for Emergency Medicine access block snapshot surveys 2019

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