The peak body for emergency medicine in Australia says while it welcomes Bill Shorten's promise an ALP government would invest $500 million emergency departments, the key is to make sure the money is spent where it is needed most.
Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM) President Dr Simon Judkins said: "Waiting times are just one of the many red-flags in a wider dysfunctional system.
"While funding is part of the mix, the answer is also about the adoption of effective, efficient and safe practices. The key is creating inpatient hospital capacity through a combination of investing in more physical beds, and in evolving and adopting new processes and models-of-care.
"Many of the answers lie outside the emergency department. You need to integrate all systems of care – from community care, the emergency department and inpatient care.
"Waiting times will reduce if the wider health system has capacity and employs efficient processes."
Dr Judkins said a 'better emergency department' will not solve problems that are a result of system-wide issues.
"Let's be mindful different communities and their hospitals experience different challenges which require different solutions," he said. "While many emergency departments will need to focus on staffing levels to meet an increase in the number and complexity of presentations, others will need to focus on increased bed capacity in wards of a hospital."
In the wake of today's promise, Dr Judkins called for clinical engagement with frontline emergency department staff.
"ACEM would be happy to discuss these issues with the ALP – in fact any politician of any persuasion – to ensure the community has ongoing access to an accessible, high quality and safe health system," Dr Judkins said.
Background
ACEM is the peak body for emergency medicine in Australia and New Zealand, responsible for training emergency physicians and advancement of professional standards. www.acem.org.au
