By Matthew Sims
New Australian Institute of Health and Welfare [AIHW] data has highlighted that less than half of emergency patients attending the Western Health Footscray hospital were treated within the recommended time in the 2020-2021 period.
The latest MyHospitals data showed that 48 per cent of emergency patients were treated within 10 minutes of their arrival at the Footscray hospital, which was a 15 per cent drop compared to the 2019-2020 period.
The data also highlighted 46 per cent of urgent patients were treated within the recommended time of 30 minutes at Footscray, which reflected an 11 per cent drop compared to 2019-2020.
Western Health acting operations executive director John Ferraro said the COVID-19 pandemic had created extra pressure on their services during the 2020-2021 period.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on hospital activity since it began in 2019, presenting health services, such as ours, with additional pressures,” he said.
“There are a range of factors that have contributed to the demand for emergency services including Western Health caring for a high percentage of the state’s COVID-19 positive in-patients; the ongoing complex healthcare needs of our community; and our workforce also being impacted by COVID symptoms.
“If you have a minor injury or non-urgent condition, please visit your local GP, speak to a pharmacist for questions about general health or use of medications, or phone Nurse-On-Call at any time for immediate advice on 1300 60 60 24.”
The AIHW report also highlighted that Williamstown hospital, which is also a Western Health hospital, performed well in the 2020-2021 period.
The data showed that 92 per cent of emergency patients were treated within 10 minutes, while staff treated 93 per cent of urgent patients within 30 minutes.
Mr Ferraro said Western Health would continue to expand its services, including the delivery of the new Footscray hospital in 2025.
The AIHW data also showed a 6.3 per cent increase in hospitalisations nationally in the 2020-2021 period.
