The state government has responded to calls to help boost a growing problem of stretched staff and a shortage of emergency beds, but Logan Hospital has missed out on the bulk of the funding.
Logan Hospital is however, undergoing a major expansion which will see additional care at the hospital.
The government last week announced a $100 million funding boost to various units of the state health system.
Emergency department physician Dr Kim Hansen who recently said Logan had the worst Emergency Department waiting times in the country, said the government’s contribution was a long way short of tackling a $3 billion problem.
Dr Hansen welcomed the extra money for 65 new beds and support services but said it was not enough to alleviate clogged emergency departments.
“It’s good to see the state government responding but our public hospitals need innovative and effective models of care, as well as more funding,” Dr Hansen said.
“Queensland needs a five-year ED action plan to get us out of this mess.”
AMA Queensland president Professor Chris Perry said AMA Queensland would establish a ramping roundtable this month.
“The roundtable, involving a cross-section of emergency physicians, inpatient consultants and other experts, will create a roadmap out of ramping and access block,” Professor Perry said.
“We have to deal with reality that the population is booming and ageing, and hospital demand is only going to increase.
“We need at least 1500 more hospitals beds and hundreds more staff in Intensive Care, mental health and general wards.”
Minister for Health Yvette D’Ath said Queensland’s public health system was experiencing unprecedented demand.
“Delivering this extra funding to increase bed capacity is an important first step in equipping our busy EDs to tackle the pressures they’re facing,” she said.
