Doctors plan roadmap out of ramping

The State Government’s $100 million funding boost for public hospitals was a small step towards fixing a $3 billion problem, according to Queensland doctors.

Emergency physician and AMA Queensland member Dr Kim Hansen welcomed the extra money for 65 new beds and support services but said it was not enough to alleviate clogged emergency departments across the state.

“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 1,500 more hospitals beds and hundreds more staff in Intensive Care, mental health and general wards.

“The government must commit to long and short-term action, so our public hospital EDs aren’t stuck in this vicious cycle of crisis upon crisis.”