New study shows New South Wales hospitals getting worse

The study found that access block to hospital beds continues to increase in prevalence across NSW and initiatives to reduce access block have failed.

Between 30 per cent to 40 per cent of adults admitted to principal referral or major metropolitan hospitals experience unacceptable delays getting to destination wards.

Research team leader, Dr Roberto Forero of the University of NSW, says these delays are likely to be associated with poorer clinical outcomes and increased length of stay after the emergency department phase of care.

The delay in being able to admit patients impairs the ability of the emergency departments to deliver high standards emergency care.

Dr Glasson said: "The magnitude of this situation and the fact that it is getting worse every year, must be addressed urgently."

He stressed that there needs to be a fundamental rethink by governments, administrators and clinicians.  Most importantly, the resources provided by the Government must be adequate to enable patients to be processed quickly and given proper care.

There is ample evidence in Australia and overseas that the longer care is delayed the longer the patient will stay in hospital and the worse the final outcome is for the patient.

Dr Glasson added: "The AMA calls on the NSW Government to turn this major problem around and ensure that access block starts to diminish rather than continuing its worsening trend every year."

Link to MJA's study on Access block in NSW hospitals: http://www.mja.com.au/public/issues/180_02_190104/for10259_fm.html<

CONTACT:        Sarah Crichton, AMA Public Affairs  (02) 6270 5472