Decline in Emergency Department Performance Highlights Urgent Need for Healthcare Investment
Canberra, February 28 (IANS) – The Australian Medical Association (AMA) has released its 2025 Public Hospital Report Card, revealing a continued decline in the performance of Emergency Departments (EDs) across the country. According to the report, only 55 percent of ED presentations nationwide were completed within the benchmark target of four hours in the 2023-24 period. This marks the eighth consecutive year of decline, down from 73 percent in 2014-15.
An ED presentation is considered completed within the four-hour benchmark if a patient is either discharged or transferred within that time frame. Alarmingly, no state or territory recorded more than 60 percent of ED presentations meeting the benchmark, highlighting a systemic issue in hospital efficiency and patient care.
In 2019-20, all but one of Australia’s eight states and territories completed more than 60 percent of ED presentations within four hours. However, the latest data signals an overall deterioration in hospital response times, particularly for critical cases. The report also found that one-third of all ED patients classified as “emergency”—including those experiencing chest pain, severe respiratory distress, or acute stroke—were not seen by a doctor within the recommended 10-minute window in 2023-24. This represents a significant increase from 25 percent in 2018-19, underscoring the mounting pressure on the healthcare system.
Despite an overall increase in the number of public hospital beds, the availability of beds for elderly patients remains a concern. The number of available hospital beds per 1,000 people aged 65 and over remains at a record low of 14.3. The AMA warns that without substantial investment from both state and federal governments, the capacity of the healthcare system will continue to decline, exacerbating challenges for hospital staff and increasing burnout rates among healthcare professionals.
Dr. Danielle McMullen, President of the AMA, emphasized the urgency of addressing these issues, noting that the report has tracked a “steady decline in public hospital performance” since its inception in 2007. With Australia’s general election approaching, scheduled no later than May 17, the AMA is calling on political leaders and parties to prioritize healthcare system reforms, particularly in hospital funding and resource allocation.
The findings of the 2025 report serve as a stark reminder of the need for immediate and sustained action to ensure timely and effective patient care within Australia’s public hospital system.
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