Hospital chaos across south-east yesterday amid ambulance ramping surge
The Palaszczuk government has committed a $100 million funding boost after a surge in ambulance ramping sparked chaos at five major hospitals across Brisbane and the Gold Coast yesterday.
At the peak of the crisis yesterday, Gold Coast University Hospital and Ipswich Hospital declared emergency code yellows, meaning the hospitals were running out of space for patients.
Fifteen crews were forced to wait outside Logan Hospital and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, and thirteen outside the Prince Charles Hospital.
“At 10.30 last night, there were still 160 people waiting for an ambulance in the community, which is a result of the hours lodged on the hospital ramps during the day,” Fiona Scanlan from the United Workers Union told Neil Breen.
“That’s a crew of paramedics basically being able to see one or two people all day because they’re stuck at a ramp.”
Press PLAY below to hear what Ms Scanlan says is needed to fix the ramping epidemic
The Palaszczuk government announced the $100 million funding boost this morning to “tackle unprecedented demand in Queensland’s public hospitals”.
Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said the package will create an initial 65 new beds.
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