Emergency Room wait times

Emergency rooms need an overhaul. The current system doesn't work. My son broke his leg badly and after being told an ambulance could be 3 or 4 hours away,  I had to drive him Ann hour to the hospital myself,  then we waited 8 hrs just to be seen,  then another 2 hrs for them to put a temporary car past on, then waited another 5 hrs to be admitted because he needed surgery,  then to be told we were going home, because there were no beds, had to wait another 7 hrs for a Dr to discharge us,  went back in 2 days later as instructed to be admitted for surgery, and then he waited ELEVEN days,  before there was a theatre/Surgeon available to do his surgery.  During his wait time in ER waiting room,  I had to request pain relief for him,  and we were offered 2 panadol for a 120kg man...?    Simply not enough doctors,  nurses or beds in our hospitals. I have a friend who's husband had a massive stroke and waited 6 hrs for an ambulance to come. 

Why the contribution is important

We need to know that if we need emergency magical help,  it will be available. It's scary that in a first world country we can't be assured that we will be able to access good Healthcare in a timely manner.

by Carla123 on March 19, 2023 at 09:24AM

Current Rating

Average rating: 5.0
Based on: 7 votes

Comments

  • Posted by Pattie March 22, 2023 at 21:46

    It is scary to think that Ambulances and A& E have such long waits for people who are in pain and suffering.

  • Posted by raewyn March 26, 2023 at 10:12

    If we had affordable after hours health care then the A & E would not be so full. It is terrible that people are left with broken limbs etc when it is obvious that help is needed. A review of the ambulance system should happen so we know how they triage the call outs, do we need more ambulances?

  • Posted by RMc82 April 21, 2023 at 15:24

    Emergency departments need to work alongside after hours and primary care, with the ability to triage and move patients across the system in timely manner to the right health professional with the right funding model. The data exists on presenting conditions, wait times etc - so the ability to ID service needs and specialities required already exist. also, to decrease the burden on dr and nurses how could allied health be used to manage the case load, discharge planning and input for patients?
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