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Bed closures unacceptable, says AMA Victoria
7 October 2011
Reported bed closures at Victorian hospitals are unacceptable and will compromise patient care, AMA Victoria President Dr Harry Hemley said today.
“It is very concerning that Victorian hospitals are closing beds at a time when demand is increasing,” said Dr Hemley. “Our members are telling us that budgets are being cut and staff hours reduced in a number of Victorian hospitals.”
“Without adequate beds patients will not get the treatment they need in an appropriate amount of time. Elective surgery waiting times will increase, emergency departments will become more overcrowded and patient care will be compromised.”
Dr Hemley made his comments following reports today that Box Hill Hospital will close 32 beds due to a lack of funding.
“The Baillieu Government committed to increasing bed numbers in Victoria yet it is allowing beds to close due to a lack of funding,” he said. “Victoria needs new beds to increase overall bed capacity not simply to replace beds that have been closed”
“The Baillieu Government promised 800 new beds in its first term of Government including 100 new beds to be delivered in its first 12 months. We have called on Minister Davis to announce where the first 100 beds will be located, what type they will be and when they will be delivered.
“Emergency departments are also struggling to keep up with rapidly increasing demand. Bed closures have a significant impact on the ability of emergency departments to treat patients within clinically appropriate timeframes.
“We need to get patients out of emergency department cubicles and into appropriate hospital beds. This requires more beds not only in intensive care units and hospital wards but also within appropriate alternative care settings.”
It was reported yesterday that an Austin Hospital emergency physician had written to his CEO saying that the emergency department has become unsafe for patients and doctors.
“Hospital infrastructure has not kept up with Melbourne’s rapid population growth and this is resulting in emergency departments being overwhelmed,” Dr Hemley said. “Many hospitals are operating at over 95 per cent capacity, well above the recommended 85 per cent.”
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