100,000 Patients Benefit from QLD's Landmark Satellite Hospitals

JOINT STATEMENT

New data reveals Queensland's Satellite Hospitals Minor Injury and Illness Clinics have seen 100,000 patients, diverting non-urgent cases away from busy emergency departments.
Where a satellite hospital is close to an ED, there has been a reduction of up to 24% in non-urgent presentations because of the Satellite Hospital Minor Injury and Illness Clinic
Respiratory infections were the number one presentation for both adults and children.
All seven satellite hospitals funded under the $377 million program are now operational, furthering healthcare accessibility across the state.

A major milestone has been reached as 100,000 Queenslanders have accessed a Satellite Hospital Minor Injury and Illness Clinic, significantly reducing the burden on some of the busiest emergency departments.

An additional 45,000 outpatient appointments have been delivered across the 7 Satellite Hospitals.

Since August 2023, the Miles Government has opened seven satellite hospitals – Caboolture, Ripley, Redlands, Tugun, Kallangur, Eight Mile Plains and Bribie Island – catering to patients who might have previously visited an emergency department for non-critical conditions.

As of 21 July 2024, Ripley Satellite Hospital has seen the most patients, exceeding 24,800 since its August 30 opening. Caboolture Satellite Hospital closely follows with nearly 21,500 presentations.

Ripley Satellite Hospital currently leads in daily presentations, averaging 85 in the first 21 days of July. This is followed by Kallangur (81), Redlands (65), Caboolture (69), Tugun (63) and Eight Mile Plains (58). The Bribie Island Satellite Hospital Minor Injury and Illness Clinic opened 17 July 2024 and is treating an average of 28 patients per day.

The most common presentations during the most recent quarter include respiratory and viral infections, sprains, abdominal pain and other soft tissue injuries.

Every non-urgent presentation in an emergency department requires triage, assessment, and treatment by a doctor. By providing this care at the satellite hospitals, emergency departments can dedicate their resources to more critical patients.

As stated by the Premier of Queensland Steven Miles:

"145,000 Queenslanders have received free healthcare, closer to home, at one of our seven nation leading Satellite Hospitals.

"These Satellite Hospitals are a concept I first pioneered, so to see so many patients now receiving critical care is something I'm super proud of.

"Importantly, the 100,000 people have been diverted away from our busy EDs and are instead going to their local minor injury and illness clinic at their Satellite Hospital.

"This is a massive milestone and further proof that these clinics provide crucial care to Queenslanders and relieve pressure on our major SEQ Hospitals.

"Only a government I lead will keep Satellite Hospitals in public hands so they can continue to care for Queenslanders in their communities."

As stated by Queensland Minister for Health, Mental Health and Ambulance Services and Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman:

"The latest data shows where a satellite hospital is close to an ED, there has been a reduction of up to 24% in non-urgent presentations.

"I would like to thank the dedicated frontline healthcare staff working in the seven facilities to ensure patients receive world-class care.

"Free nurse-led clinics, Satellite Hospitals and virtual EDs, are just some of the plans that we're delivering to help free up capacity in busy emergency departments, while providing cost of living relief for families.

"But what is the LNP's plan? We know they don't support nurse-led clinics. They think real time data is the answer – but that's not a policy and we need to hear more from the opposition than a soundbite.

"Our government is throwing everything we've got to support the heath system and our amazing health workers but we know that this is all at risk under the LNP."

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