2020-10-11
The ACT Greens have today outlined an innovative plan to keep more Canberrans out of our Emergency Departments, and to lower ED waiting times.
“Our Emergency Departments, and the staff who work in them, are under pressure. We want Canberrans to be seen within clinically recommended timeframes, and that is why the Greens have a plan to take real pressure off our Emergency Departments by investing in a range of dedicated services within our EDs,” ACT Greens leader and Health Spokesperson Shane Rattenbury said today.
The Greens have a plan for improving emergency departments wait times and patient flow that is innovative, focused on cohorts, and based on new approaches that are proven to achieve results.
“Our new dedicated services will deal directly with some of the more frequent - but often complex - cases that may present to EDs. For example, average treatment times in ED for co-occurring alcohol and drug and mental health patients can be quite long as mental health assessment cannot be done until the effects of drugs and/or alcohol wear off.
“This is the right time to deliver change in our healthcare system - healthcare practices are changing, new technologies, systems and expertise are now available, and we have more international evidence that we can adopt to address the increased pressures from population growth and an ageing population.
“Now, more than ever, is the time to Build a Better Normal and ensure all Canberrans receive the healthcare services they deserve,” Mr Rattenbury added.
Highlights from the Greens’ plan for our EDs
-
Better support for those presenting at EDs with co occurring drug and alcohol and mental health issues. The Greens will scope a dedicated Psychiatric Alcohol and Non-prescriptions Drugs Assessment (PANDA) unit within the ED to better manage some of these complex comorbidity cases, so patients can be medically managed in a safe setting away from general ED waiting areas. Units like these are running successfully in some NSW and WA hospitals.
-
Create another separate triage stream for seniors in our EDs. Seniors over the age of 65 make up almost 1 in 5 presentations to our EDs. Currently, as a vulnerable cohort, children and young people are given separate triage status in EDs. The Greens want to create an additional stream for seniors, cutting down on wait times to help meet the needs of often frail and vulnerable community members. The Greens would like to see seniors streaming introduced in both Calvary Public Hospital and Canberra Hospital EDs.
-
Provide more appropriate support to those presenting to ED with mental health issues. The Greens will provide a further $600,000 for two years funding for two ‘Safe Haven Cafes’. These ‘cafes’ are staffed by peer workers with a lived experience of mental health issues, who will work alongside mental health professionals, to support those in need. They provide an alternative to busy and often triggering environments, where patients can seek respite in a warm and therapeutic environment.
-
Expanding PACER to 7 days per week. The ACT Greens recently introduced and expanded the successful PACER program, a joint service from police, ambulance paramedics and mental health clinicians. PACER provides better support for Canberrans experiencing acute mental health episodes, and in turn helps to reduce pressure on Emergency Departments. The Greens have already committed to continuing funding for this important service.
The full details of the package are at: greens.org.au/act/health
Statement ends
Media contact
Lisa Wills M 0481 035 764 E lisa.wills@act.gov.au