May 18th 2024.
According to 9News, ambulance ramping in Queensland has reached an all-time high. This news comes just before the release of new data tomorrow. In the first quarter of 2024, a staggering 45.5 percent of patients in Queensland had to endure more than 30 minutes on the ambulance ramp before being admitted into the hospital. This number surpasses the previous record of 45 percent.
The increase in ambulance ramping can be attributed to a 5.7 percent rise in emergency department presentations, as stated by Queensland Health Minister Shannon Fentiman. This record demand has put a strain on the system and has led to the increase in ramping. Fentiman acknowledged that the surge in demand was unexpected, especially during the months of January and February when Queensland was hit with natural disasters like floods, cyclones, and a heatwave. Additionally, there was also a spike in cases of the flu, adding to the strain on emergency services.
Fentiman has been the health minister for a year now. In June of 2023, when ambulance ramping was at 43 percent, she had expressed her goal to reduce the rate to 28 percent in an exclusive interview with 9News. However, with the current situation, it seems like this goal may be harder to achieve. Fentiman defended her record and denied that the increased rate was a failure. She stated that no one could have predicted the overwhelming demand that Queensland emergency departments have been facing. She also mentioned that Queensland's ramping performance is comparable to other states and assured that more data will be made public tomorrow.
Fentiman also highlighted the fact that the Queensland Ambulance Service is free for patients, as it is funded by the state government. She also proudly stated that the service has some of the best response times in the country. As the government continues to work towards addressing the issue of ambulance ramping, Fentiman urged the public to have patience and understanding during this challenging time for emergency services.
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