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Doctors call for online emergency department wait times

12 March 2009.

AMA Victoria has called on the state government to follow the lead of Western Australia and publish up-to-date emergency department waiting times online.

AMA Victoria President Dr Doug Travis said online public hospital performance reports would make it easier for Victorian patients in non-urgent categories to decide which hospital to visit. Online data would also help doctors to determine the quickest way for their patients to get the care they needed.

“Public hospital performance data should be widely available to the community and to general practice. Victorians should be able to log on to the internet and see the waiting times for metropolitan emergency departments,” Dr Travis said. 

“This information is published only twice each year in Victoria, compared with several times a day in Western Australia. There is no reason why emergency department waiting times can’t be more readily available in Victoria." 

The Western Australian Government website provides information on emergency department admissions, attendances, waiting times, the number of patients waiting to be seen, ambulance bypass, and hospital bed availability.

“The WA website is an excellent example of how governments can provide timely and comprehensive hospital data to the public and other medical practitioners.”

“Victoria’s public hospitals have been under increased pressure over the past year. We should be able to see how our hospitals are performing day to day."

By allowing doctors and patients to know the best place for care, patients and doctors can help the hospital system become more efficient, and treat more patients with limited resources.

“An online reporting system would increase efficiencies in the health system, and promote greater transparency and accountability.”

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Background:

Western Australian Government’s public hospital emergency department activity: http://www.health.wa.gov.au/emergencyactivity/home/ .

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