A growing number of people in Mackay are seeking swift access to specialist emergency medicine, with a 43 per cent increase in patients presenting to Mater Private Hospital Mackay’s Emergency Care Centre over the past year.
The Emergency Care Centre (ECC) - which celebrates its third anniversary this month - had 13 452 patient presentations in 2021 compared with 9 385 the year before.
Mater Private Hospital Mackay Executive Officer, Beth Thomas, said the increase reflected a rising trend amongst patients for easy access to specialist medical advice as well as services like imaging and pathology.
“All of our ECC doctors are experienced emergency medicine specialists, so patients are confident they will receive a high standard of care and expertise,” Ms Thomas said.
Mater’s ECC Director, Dr Khalid Yousif, said increasing numbers of patients were also choosing the Mater because it provided low wait times.
“The ECC was established three years ago to provide the people of Mackay and surrounding region with more choices in emergency health care,” he said.
“The 43 per cent rise in patients in the past year makes it clear that our patients are prioritising access to emergency medicine expertise, as well as the radiology and pathology services provided.
“Typically, we see patients present and be assessed first and foremost by an emergency medicine specialist, who will order the necessary radiology and pathology services, and/or additional specialist consultations.
“Patients can then either be swiftly discharged, referred onto the appropriate medical specialists for further treatment, or admitted if necessary.
“This process reduces our waiting times and delays and appears to be building the trust and confidence of the community through their increasing demand for our emergency services.”
Ms Thomas said the ECC was a partnership between Mater Private Hospital Mackay and Private Emergency Health Australia (PEHA) and was accessible to both public and private patients.
The Mater Mackay Emergency Care Centre is located within Mater Private Hospital Mackay at 76 Willets Road, North Mackay and operates from 8 am – 10 pm daily.
Mater Private Hospital Mackay’s Emergency Care Centre has seen a steep rise in demand from 2020 to 2021. Images supplied: Mater Private Hospital
Publishers Indemnity. Any individual or entity that places advertising, supplies copy material, or submits editorial content to Core Life Publishing agrees and undertakes to ensure that all such material:- Does not infringe upon any copyright, trademark, or other intellectual property rights;- Is free from any content that could be considered defamatory, libelous, or slanderous;- Does not infringe upon any rights related to privacy or breach of confidence;- Contains no obscene, indecent, or otherwise unlawful material;- Complies fully with the Trade Practices Act and all other applicable laws, regulations, or statutes.Furthermore, by submitting or placing such material, these individuals or entities agree to indemnify and hold harmless the publisher, Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd, and/or its agents from and against any and all investigations, claims, demands, liabilities, damages, costs, or judgments arising out of or in connection with the material provided. All material is believed to be accurate at the time of printing and remains the copyright of Core Publishing and Events Pty Ltd.
© 2024 Mackay and Whitsunday Life Pty Ltd.
