GPs ‘bypassed’ for emergency

By MICHELLE HERBISON
PATIENTS with “less-urgent” conditions are presenting at Geelong Hospital’s emergency department in numbers beyond population growth despite more doctors in the area, according to a study.
A recent joint study between Barwon Health and Barwon Medicare Local, representing Geelong GPs, found that triage category four (semi-urgent) and five (non-urgent) patient presentations were increasing 10 per cent annually.
Barwon Health spokesperson Kate Nelson said the study findings had sparked plans for the two organisations to launch an awareness campaign next year on options for after-hours medical care.
“It relates to the individuals’ own perception of the urgency of their condition and where they believe they should go for medical attention,” Ms Nelson said.
“The Geelong region has had a substantial growth of GP numbers. The issue here is awareness of what alternatives are available, not what GPs are available.”
A study summary document showed 83 per cent of a sample of 433 semi and non-urgent patients visiting the emergency department believed they needed immediate attention.
Forty-six per cent attended because it was “too complex to see a GP”, while 41 per cent were unsure where else to go.
Twenty-four per cent of patients said they were unable to “get into” their GP and 24 per cent were avoiding a long wait for an appointment.
Twenty-six per cent visited the emergency department because it was free.
Ms Nelson said bulk-bill and private clinics near Geelong Hospital treated “less-urgent” patients but Barwon Medicare Local would need to “broaden the availability” of after-hours GPs next year.
“Theoretically if patients choose to go to a GP we could free up resources in the emergency department to treat more complex presentations more quickly,” she said.
Geelong Hospital performance indicators to October 29 showed the 50 per cent of triage four patients seen on time fell short of the 70 per cent target.
Barwon Medicare Local chief executive officer Jason Trethowan was unavailable for comment before the Independent went to press.