Hunter New England Health has warned the community to use Maitland Hospital’s emergency department properly.
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It comes after the emergency department experienced a bottleneck of patients last Thursday night that led to staff activating the hospital’s highest response level – code red – before the patient flow began moving again.
There has been a mixed response to the story on the Mercury’s website and social media pages, after the hospital’s acting general manager Velda Sturt said the bottleneck was not indicative of a staff or bed shortage.
Many social media users blamed a public misuse of the emergency department for long waiting times, with people presenting because they had a cold, period pain or food poisoning.
A HNE Health spokesperson said people should only visit the emergency department in cases of real emergencies.
“The community is reminded that the emergency department should not be visited for non-urgent conditions such as coughs and colds or to renew prescriptions,” she said.
“Hospital emergency departments are for people who need immediate medical care for life-threatening or unexpected conditions, and doctors and nurses treat the most serious cases first.
“When people access the emergency department for non-urgent conditions, it puts a strain on staff, who are trying to treat people with more serious or critical conditions.
“It’s also important to remember that emergency departments won’t provide prescription renewals or doctor’s certificates.”
The spokesperson said the code red was the highest level in a system that reflected patient flow – it was not an emergency response call.
She said people in a genuinely urgent or life-threatening situation should call triple-0 or go directly to an emergency department.
But non-urgent problems should be taken to a general practitioner.
People can also call Healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222 to speak with a registered nurse.