High numbers put pressure on emergency department

02 May 07

High numbers put pressure on emergency department

Tauranga Hospital is asking for patience from the community, as its emergency department is seeing higher numbers this year than ever before, meaning some patients may face long waiting times.

Chief operating officer Graham Dyer, says last year numbers through the department each day were consistently under 100. Now they’re consistently over the 100 mark.

“There are more serious traumas and very sick people coming to the department who require more attention and medical intervention. Our staff are stretched to the limit at times,” he says.

What it means for patients is increased waiting times, as medical staff prioritise to ensure those most in need of urgent treatment are seen first.

“When we’re full like we were on Tuesday coping with multiple trauma cases from crashes and the like, we can’t put a closed sign on the door. Our staff are working as hard as they can to ensure every patient is seen as quickly as possible.”

He concedes that strike action by radiographers has had an impact but says the hospital is as much under pressure with the high numbers of patients coming to the department.

Planning under Project Leo includes increased emergency department space but this will not come on line until 2008.

Patient care remains the number one priority at the hospital and Mr Dyer stresses that anyone requiring emergency care will be seen by medical staff.

“Our emergency department is open for emergencies, 365 days a year,” he says. “The industrial action has put pressure on the team, but we can still effectively treat anyone who needs life-preserving care.

“It is important to keep the Emergency Department for emergencies only and to see a GP early if people have non-urgent health concerns.”

ENDS

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