Your Hospital’s Health Website Launched

MEDIA RELEASE 

Tel:  (07) 3872 2222 
25 March 2010

Your Hospital’s Health Website Launched


AMA Queensland today officially launched the Your Hospital’s Health website as the latest weapon in its War on Waste campaign to improve Queensland’s health system.

AMA Queensland President Dr Mason Stevenson said the Your Hospital’s Health website went live this morning and allows Queenslanders to view vital information about their local hospital.

“Queenslanders have a right to know how stretched their local hospital is and Your Hospital’s Health website provides this information in a user friendly way,” Dr Stevenson said.

“At present, Queensland Health publishes detailed quarterly reports sorted by numerous categories but it isn’t easy for members of the public to navigate or understand.

“On the Your Hospital’s Health website people will be able to click on a hospital name and access the key information relating to that hospital in an easy to understand format.

“For example, the latest bed occupancy rates (which aren’t published by Queensland Health) and the average wait times for admission to emergency departments and the number of people waiting for elective surgery at 27 of our largest public hospitals is available.”

Dr Stevenson said the figures in some hospitals were quite alarming and served as a wakeup call to both the State and Federal Governments.

“Any bed occupancy rate greater than 85 per cent (over a 12 month period) risks systematic breakdowns, extended periods of ‘code red’, bypass and puts patients at risk of higher mortality and disability rates,” he said.

“According to the latest figures in Queensland we have 15 major hospitals that fall into this category despite the State Government’s multi-billion dollar hospital bed building program.

“Even though new beds are being brought online, there are others being closed and we believe the net gain is not what it should be.

“Waiting times are also a concern, on average it takes more than seven hours to be admitted at Royal Brisbane, Townsville, Mater Adult, Logan, Nambour, Princess Alexandra and Robina Hospitals.”

Dr Stevenson said by looking at individual hospital pressures on our website, it will be clear which hospitals are coping well and which need an extra hand.

“Hospitals such as Redcliffe, Cairns, Mackay, Caboolture and Caloundra have bed occupancy above 100 per cent which is unacceptable,” he said.

“Cairns Hospital for example, needs another 79 beds immediately to reduce it to 85 per cent capacity, Mackay Hospital needs 35 and Redcliffe Hospital 47. Even our largest hospitals, the Royal Brisbane and Princess Alexandra Hospitals, are above the 85 per cent threshold.

“Based on the latest data, AMA Queensland estimates Queensland needs an immediate net increase of at least 450 public hospital beds in order to bring all public hospitals to the average maximum bed occupancy of 85 per cent.

“I hope the Queensland Government welcomes the Your Hospital’s Health website and does not resort to muddying the waters as it has so far throughout our War on Waste campaign.

“Our hard working doctors and nurses are under immense pressure day in and day out. This website is about helping them get the resources they need.

“Even the Prime Minister has agreed with AMA Queensland. The PM admits there is too much waste, not enough training, hospital beds, doctors and nurses.”

Dr Stevenson also called on the State Government to stand firm on health provision in the upcoming State Budget, despite the talk of Federal intervention in 2014.

“We expect to see the State Government deliver on its promise of an extra $1.5 billion for the health budget in 2010-11 no matter what happens with the negotiations with the Prime Minister,” he said.

To find out about how your local hospital is fairing or to read more about AMA Queensland’s War on Waste campaign you can visit the Your Hospital’s Health website at www.yourhospitalshealth.com.au.