'Patients often wait for days for a bed': Fed-up doctor pens extraordinary open letter warning people not to visit his hospital because there aren’t enough beds or specialist surgeons
- Fed-up doctor Michael Cameron warned patients about hospital in an open letter
- Dr Cameron said emergency department at Redland Hospital was one of busiest
- He said patients could wait days for bed and even then be transferred elsewhere
- Dr Cameron did note a silver lining as hospital offered free parking to its patients
A doctor fed-up with bed shortages at his local hospital has penned an open letter warning residents they could wait days for medical attention.
Emergency physician Michael Cameron published the scathing open letter to The Courier Mail to warn residents of Redland Hospital in south east Queensland.
'The staff are all well trained, the Emergency Department is well equipped, I am proud to say we can provide first class first world emergency medical care for the people of the Redlands,' the letter began.
'The difference begins when you need admission to hospital under a medical specialty (eg orthopaedics).'
Emergency physician Michael Cameron published the scathing open letter to The Courier Mail to warn residents of Redland Hospital (pictured) in south east Queensland
While Dr Cameron praised the training of the staff and quality of care, he pointed out the hospital was suffering under the increasing strain of public need (stock picture)
While Dr Cameron praised the training of the staff and quality of care, he pointed out the hospital was suffering under the increasing strain of public need.
He said like most public hospitals, Redland Hospital was struggling to find space to put up its patients.
Dr Cameron said patients could wait days in the Emergency Department just for a bed, and even then they might have to be transferred to another hospital.
While it may be common in other hospitals, he said at least they might have specialists working around the clock. This meant patients could get care sooner.
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He couldn't promise as much at Redland Hospital, claiming there simply weren't enough specialists on hand at all hours.
Dr Cameron said any surgery other than maternity related after 5pm on a weekday was unavailable, with patients arriving after that time being transferred to other hospitals.
Anyone in need of an ear, nose and throat, ophthalmology, neurology, urology or vascular surgery would also referred to another hospital due to lack of specialists.
'We do have a Cardiologist available to give an opinion on some days of the week but for Public patients south of the river those procedures are only done at the Princess Alexandra Hospital,' Dr Cameron said in the letter.
Lastly, the fed-up doctor said patients could be put on life support at the hospital, but would have to be transferred to another hospital.
On the upside, Dr Cameron said free parking was available for staff, patients and relatives.
Dr Cameron said any surgery other than maternity related after 5pm on a weekday was unavailable (stock picture)
Australian Medical Association Queensland president Dr Dilip Dhupelia said he shared Dr Cameron's concerns.
While he had been pushing for better resources for sometime he said people needed to consider why they went to the emergency department.
'People need to question themselves why they go to the emergency department, the word emergency means some crisis of some sort, it is not a place for services,' Dr Dhupelia told ABC radio.
'We know for a fact there is a significant growth of population on the southside and … the growth of services need to accommodate that.'
He did admit the Emergency Department at Redland Hospital was one of the busiest in the area.
'Life will be easier if people in Redlands actually consider why they’re going to the emergency department, so beds are not cluttered up.'
A Queensland Health spokesperson said the Redland Hospital was in line for a makeover.
He said a new Redland Hospital Infrastructure Master Plan was 'in the approval stage'.
The plan will include an ICU and the expansion of medical speciality services.
'We’re committed to finding ways to constantly improve the healthcare we deliver and a lot of this is led by clinicians on the ground,' the spokesperson said.
'That’s why over the past two years we’ve increased Redland Hospital’s budget by $27 million and its clinical workforce by more than 60 nurses and 24 doctors.'
Australian Medical Association Queensland president Dr Dilip Dhupelia said he shared Dr Cameron's concerns (stock picture)
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