Queensland Health has announced that some of the State’s biggest hospital emergency departments broke historical records for recorded activity during the June quarter this year.
Performance data released by the Department shows public hospitals were continuing to deliver high-quality patient care, despite the continuing COVID-19 pandemic and more than 4,000 health workers on sick leave.
Minister for Health and Ambulance Services, Yvette D’Ath said the June quarter had been heavily impacted by two Omicron waves and the start of the worst influenza season the State had experienced in several years.
“The multiple Omicron surges since the start of this year have challenged our hospitals and emergency departments like never before,” Ms D’Ath said.
“Since May, the number of Queensland Health workers on sick leave from COVID and other illnesses has averaged at more than 4,000.”
She said despite this toll, staff had risen to the challenge.
“Even with a significant increase in the most urgent Category One presentations during this period, 100 per cent of these patients were seen on time,” Ms D’Ath said.
“The median wait time for the 575,578 people who attended our emergency departments was 17 minutes.”
She said some emergency departments were particularly busy, with Cairns Hospital experiencing its busiest day ever in early May, and its second busiest day a fortnight later.
The Minister said Logan Hospital saw its second highest number of presentations ever and the Prince Charles Hospital a 31.4 per cent increase in the number of Category One presentations to its emergency department.
The Queensland Health Performance Data for the June Quarter 2022 can be accessed at this PS News link.
