Toowoomba emergency health chaos revealed

Last Updated (DATE_FORMAT_LC2) Written by Media Centre DATE_FORMAT_LC2

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Mark McArdle MP

Shadow Health Minister

Member for Caloundra

 

9 February 2010

 

More than 40 per cent of all patients who presented to Toowoomba Hospital emergency department for treatment waited longer than recommended last December.

 

LNP Spokesman for Health Mark McArdle said the Health Minister had been forced to release the data because of a Right to Information request from the State Opposition.

 

"This data paints a picture of dangerous and dysfunctional emergency departments," Mr McArdle said.

 

"Of the 1186 people requiring urgent treatment, within 30 minutes, 439 were not seen in the medically recommended time at the Toowoomba Hospital.

 

 

"This is just not good enough — these are people with major injuries, bleeding and fractures and every minute can mean the difference between life and death."

 

Mr McArdle said the December data showed that 304 patients, or one in eleven patients, gave up waiting at the Toowoomba emergency departments and went home without treatment.

 

"This is very dangerous — these patients are risking complications down the track."

 

Mr McArdle said the figures showed the health crisis was far from over in Toowoomba.

 

"To make matters worse, many of the figures in the Emergency Department report for Toowoomba were highlighted red meaning there had been a significant deterioration over time and a review was recommended.

 

"These figures highlight just how badly Bligh and Labor have failed Toowoomba through a lack of planning and investment in health infrastructure.

 

"The focus should be patients not politics."

 

 

 

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