608 Canberra patients spent more than 24 hours in emergency during 2023-24
The total fell from 1158 in 2018-19, and 293 of the 608 patients were older people.
A report by the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine found 608 patients spent more than 24 hours in emergency. The stays happened in Canberra's public emergency departments during 2023-24.
The 608 patients included 293 older patients and 215 younger patients. The total was 1158 in 2018-19, so the situation has improved.
Dr Sam Scanlan said ACT bed numbers had gone up by about 200 between 2018-19 and 2023-24. Dr Sam Scanlan said stays of 24 hours should be a 'never, ever event'.
Access block, meaning patients stuck waiting for a bed, is a 'national crisis level issue', he said. For older Australians, Dr Scanlan said it is because of a lack of aged care facilities and beds.
- 608 patients
- Stays over 24 hours, 2023-24
- 1158 patients
- Stays over 24 hours, 2018-19
- 293
- Older patients in 2023-24 count
- About 200 beds
- ACT bed increase, 2018-19 to 2023-24
Why it mattersLong waits can put older people and their families under strain, and the problem could grow as the population ages.
AustraliaOlder Australians who use ACT emergency departments can still face stays of more than 24 hours.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 4 h ago
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