More than 60 patients waited more than 24 hours for treatment in Sunshine Hospital’s emergency department over the past year, Western Health’s annual report reveals.
WH’s emergency departments are not performing to an acceptable standard, the report found, with cuts to waiting times, the delivery of “consistent care” and better facilities identified as key goals.
The report found 34 patients waited in Footscray Hospital’s emergency department for more than 24 hours.
“Our performance is not in line with our commitment to provide the best possible care for our patients,” the WH report found.
“Tackling this very difficult problem will be a key priority … over the coming year.”
Sunshine and Footscray hospitals both fell well below two key emergency department performance benchmarks, with 58.4 and 72.9 per cent of patients, respectively, seen within recommended times – below the hospitals’ 80 per cent target.
Only 51.7 per cent of emergency patients at Sunshine Hospital were admitted, referred to another hospital or discharged within four hours – well below the 81 per cent target – while only 47.7 per cent of patients at Footscray hospital were attended to within the time allowed.
Sunshine Hospital has the third-highest number of births in the state, the report found.
