As patients face long waits at the ACT’s emergency departments and hospitals, Canberra Health Services urges the public to consider alternatives.

“The ACT’s emergency departments and hospitals are extremely busy,” said CHS chief operating officer Cathie O’Neill. “They are seeing high numbers of COVID and non-COVID patients, while facing workface challenges – so many team members are also unwell with COVID-19 or other illnesses.

“We’re not unique in this – every hospital in Australia is experiencing these challenges.

“Our triage process in the emergency department means that the most urgent patients are seen first, so those whose condition is less urgent will experience longer waits.

“If you need to come to the emergency department, please do so. But if your need for care is not urgent, please consider an alternative. And don’t forget our COVID Walk-in Clinic is there for those who have COVID-19.”

Other options for urgent but non-life threatening care are:

o          Your GP

o          A Walk-in Centre – you can find the wait times on the CHS website

o          CALMS – Canberra After Hours Locum Medical Services

o          The National Home Doctor Service

o          Healthdirect – online resources and the telephone service

“Our hospitals are currently experiencing bed block every day; a large number of patients require longer hospital stays,” Ms O’Neill said.

“This causes further delays in the emergency department, as patients who need to be admitted might have to wait longer for a bed to become available.

“We expect to continue to experience high demand and bed pressures in coming months.

“Every winter, we expect to be busier, not only directly from the impact of respiratory viruses, but also because the colder weather impacts on people with chronic conditions.

“At times, we temporarily reduce hours or close some services to redirect staff to more acute services or to ensure other less acute services can continue operating.”

The Tuggeranong Walk-in Centre will operate on reduced hours, opening from 2pm till 10pm rather than from 7.30am till 10pm, starting this Friday and continuing until 10pm on 3 August.

“Every one of these decisions is difficult, and we acknowledge the impact they have on our community,” Ms O’Neill said. 

“We want to acknowledge all our health care workers who continue to provide exceptional care together in the face of these challenges.

“Please remember that our team members are doing their best to keep us all safe. Being kind and respectful is the best way you can help them.”