Mackay's ERs Swiftly Answer The Call For Urgent Care

By Amanda Wright

In the latest quarter, Mackay Hospital and Health Service's emergency departments experienced an unprecedented surge in the care of critically ill and injured patients, yet despite the increase, all Category 1 patients received immediate attention within two minutes of their hospital arrival, according to data released by the Queensland Government. There were 139 patients classified as Category 1.

During this quarter, the emergency departments within the Mackay Hospital and Health Service area attended to a total of 26,457 cases. This reflects a discernible 3 per cent escalation in comparison to the corresponding quarter in the previous year. The Queensland Government reported that a substantive 91 per cent of these patients underwent examination within the confines of the clinically stipulated time frame. The median interval of wait-time prior to treatment initiation stood at a mere 10 minutes.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Shannon Fentiman said that despite improvement, there is still more work to be done.

“Our emergency departments managed a record number of presentations, more than 10,500 than the same quarter last year, and our patient off-stretcher times remained steady, at 55 per cent,” she said.

“Despite the rapid population growth we’re experiencing, and despite being the busiest in the country, our ambulance service is doing incredible work to look after their communities.”

Demand also increased significantly for the next most urgent Category 2 patients with 4549 presentations, a 17 per cent increase compared to the same quarter last year.

767 patients underwent elective surgeries, which is a 23 per cent increase on the same time last year.

In the June quarter 4708 patients were seen for an initial appointment in a specialist outpatient clinic.

Mackay Base Hospital also improved its Patient Off Stretcher time in the quarter, rising to 71 per cent from 68 per cent despite an increase in ambulance arrivals.

“These improvements would not be possible without the hard work, dedication, and commitment to patient care from our health care workers, who I thank for their tireless efforts,” Minister Fentiman said.

Mackay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Susan Gannon said the June quarter had been another busy time for staff across the health service.

“I would like to thank our dedicated emergency department staff for their tireless service to our community. We are very proud of them and what they have achieved,” Ms Gannon said.

“Our emergency staff continue to report that a visit to ED is often the first time people have seen a doctor in some time.

“Unfortunately, this means they are presenting with more complex conditions and mental health issues.

“Staff in our operating theatres have also been hard at work to perform additional elective surgery in the June quarter when 767 patients were treated, a 22.9 per cent increase from the previous quarter.”

Ms Gannon added that at the end of June there were no Category 1 patients waiting longer than the clinically recommended time.

“Category 1 – the most time-critical elective surgery – was the largest category with 362 people treated during the quarter,” she said.

“Mackay HHS also has a plan to improve access to elective surgery.

“In 2023-24 the HHS has received $5 million of non-recurrent funding to reduce long waits for Elective Surgery, Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and Specialist Outpatients."

‍

‍

Mackay Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Susan Gannon

‍