The festive period is the busiest time for emergency
departments (EDs), and this year emergency nurses and
doctors across Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia are coming
together to urge people to prepare ahead for health needs,
and to play it safe to avoid preventable trips to
overcrowded and understaffed EDs.
The Australasian
College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM), the College of
Emergency Nursing Australasia (CENA) and the College of
Emergency Nursing New Zealand (CENNZ – NZNO), warn that EDs
and health services across both nations are under extreme
pressure, often leading to long waits for
healthcare.
Doctors and nurses across the two nations
report that staff absences are the highest they have ever
seen. Most EDs are consistently understaffed, with marked
deficits in nursing – especially senior nursing. The
Colleges warn that people seeking care for non-immediately
life-threatening conditions will likely experience long
waits.
ACEM President Dr Clare Skinner said, “Right
now in emergency departments, we are doing our very best to
treat people with serious injury or illness as quickly and
safely as possible. With limited staff and resources, we are
prioritising saving lives.”
In situations where
alternatives to ED care are possible, the Colleges urge
people with non-immediately life-threatening issues to
consider other care pathways, such as GPs, urgent care
centres, telephone helplines and pharmacies.
CENA
President Wayne Varndell said, “Emergency departments are
here 24/7 for people needing emergency care, and we
understand that ED is sometimes the only option. Please come
to ED if you need our help.”
The Colleges are
particularly concerned about the capacity and staffing
levels of smaller emergency departments in rural, regional,
and remote areas, and urge travellers to plan ahead
regarding their healthcare needs.
CENNZ – NZNO
Chairperson Sue Stebbeings said, “If you are travelling,
please pack enough medication, inhalers, essential
equipment, and prescriptions to cover your time away so you
can continue your treatment. It’s helpful to carry a
summary of your medical history, including contact details
for your usual care providers, in case you need urgent
assessment. Plan ahead for how and where to seek medical
help if you require it.”
This festive season, the
Colleges wish everyone a peaceful time connecting with loved
ones but encourages people to take sensible steps to keep
safe and well.
Dr Skinner said, “Enjoy this time,
but drink alcohol in moderation, avoid drugs, be sun-smart
and water-safe, and keep a very close eye on kids. Be
careful with ladders – so many ED presentations are from
falling from a height.”
Mr Varndell said, “Drive
carefully, particularly in holiday areas, and follow public
health advice on COVID-19. The pandemic is not over, and
high numbers of viral infections are contributing to health
service pressures.”
With systemic pressures leading
to long waits, staff across the two countries are reporting
high levels of aggression and frustration from patients, and
from their carers.
Ms Stebbeings said, “We
understand people feel frustrated with long waiting times,
but it’s not okay to cause harm to others. We need your
patience as we are doing everything we can to provide the
best care possible, with very limited
resources.”
The Colleges warn governments that
situations in EDs will continue to decline without immediate
and collaborative work to reimagine and resource the entire
health system. The Colleges stand ready to work with
governments, and other health stakeholders, to create
genuine health systems that meet the needs of all people in
Aotearoa New Zealand and Australia, now and into the
future.
Alternative forms of
care
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