February 21, 2017
New data released this week shows that public hospital emergency departments are being clogged with requests for prescriptions and medical certificates, and with minor ailments like a common cold, sunburn and splinters.
Health Minister Cameron Dick said the unnecessary presentations to Queensland emergency departments is contributing to unprecedented demand on the system.
Presentations to emergency departments increased by 50,000 last year.
“This has got to stop,” Mr Dick said.
“The doctors and nurses within our emergency departments are highly trained to an international standard and are the best in their field.
“They are there to save lives, not extract splinters or write prescriptions for patients who could be visiting their GP.”
Mr Dick said people need to understand that if they arrive at an emergency department when they should be at a GP, they will wait.
“I make no apologies for that,” he said.
“If it’s not urgent, you should call or visit your GP, call 13 HEALTH, or call the After Hours Home Doctor Service.”
Mr Dick said he was deeply concerned by the spike in emergency department presentations.
He has asked the Department of Health to look at renewing its “Keep Emergency for Emergencies” public information campaign.
Maybe less people would go up to the hospital if more doctors were able to bulk bill. I scrimp and save to keep private cover in case something major comes along but that means doctors want to charge me when I see them. I can’t afford $68 just to go the doctor to get a script filled out. I get some money back from the health fund but only a fraction of the cost of the visit. When you have lots of scripts which all seem to expire at different times it means a lot of trips to the doctor. Often I have to delay getting and filling a script for a few weeks because I can’t afford the doctor. Doctors also think I must be made of money as they are always recommending I have some test done or other. I take the paperwork home but I can’t get the tests done as they are expensive. I try to do the right thing and I don’t go up to Casualty unless something is broken or I’m in pain but I can understand why a lot of people go there at other times, mainly mums with kids. Is that trivia?
Maybe if people didn’t have to wait **** THREE WEEKS **** to get in to see a GP they might be able to avoid going to the public hospital emergency departments. When I was a kid some 60 years ago you could see a doctor within hours. I guess that’s progress for you.