Sunshine Hospital’s emergency department needs further funding to cut waiting times, St Albans MP Natalie Suleyman believes.
Ms Suleyman, who claims she waited recently for several hours in the hospital’s emergency department, said there was plenty of room for improvement.
Star Weekly revealed last month that 62 patients had to wait for more than 24 hours to receive treatment in the year to June 30 at Sunshine Hospital’s ED.
Western Health’s annual report also found that in the same year, 34 patients waited in Footscray Hospital’s emergency department for more than 24 hours.
“We need to be investing more into our health services … when it comes to emergency departments, whichever hospital you go to, that first initial point,” Ms Suleyman said.
“I’ve experienced it first hand – I’ve been to Sunshine emergency. There have been times I’ve had to wait hours and hours.
“Our emergency departments are in high demand. There needs to be a consistent investment in our health system.”
Western Health said in its report that waiting times would be a priority in the coming year.
A state government spokeswoman said the state’s public hospitals would treat thousands more patients this year through $1.38 billion in extra funding in the 2015-16 state budget.
“We’re building the new $200 million Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital, which will provide 237 beds, 39 special-care nursery cots, four theatres and additional clinics,” she said.
“We have provided $200 million for a hospital beds rescue fund to open beds and points of care at hospitals across Victoria, including four new critical-care beds at Sunshine and Footscray Hospital.”
