Hospital emergency department visits in Canberra have surged 25 per cent in six years, outstripping population growth and raising concerns about the strain on the territory's hospitals.
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ACT figures released on Wednesday indicate more and more people are seeking medical treatment from hospital EDs. Presentations have increased 25 per cent since 2008-09 even though the territory's population has grown just 9 per cent in the same period.
Emergency departments in the ACT see more than 100,000 patients a year. Statistics revealed patient numbers are already up 8 per cent in 2013-14 on the previous financial year.
Chief Minister Katy Gallagher said the figures painted a worrying picture.
"Whilst it's being managed this year, if these increases continue, it will become unmanageable. We've really got to take action now to address that," she said.
She said although emergency departments were making improvements in the number of patients seen within recommended time frames, the impact of the growing number of presentations on that progress was concerning.
"We know the EDs are improving efficiency and doing everything they can to see people and see people quickly, but against this backdrop of continuing increases in presentations, at some point, it's going to hit the tipping point," she said.
Of the increased ED presentations since 2008-09, the government estimates population growth and changing demographics, such as ageing, are responsible for about 49 per cent of the growth – leaving authorities to determine what else may be driving the increase.
The figures are contained in a discussion paper prepared for a round table, which Ms Gallagher is due to host in a few weeks.
Ms Gallagher said the figures were troubling given concerns over the pressure facing ACT hospitals after the federal budget.
"There's no doubt there's a link between people's preparedness to pay for healthcare and our numbers in the emergency departments," she said.
"We have the lowest bulk-billing rates in the country and I think, next to the Northern Territory, the highest rate of utilisation of our public hospital emergency departments. We also have the highest rate of people avoiding medical services because of the cost of them."
The ACT government is yet to decide if it will introduce a co-payment for GP-equivalent visits to emergency departments.
Although unable to completely rule out a co-payment for ED visits, Ms Gallagher said it would increase the administrative burden on EDs.
"I don't think anyone can sit here and rule it out entirely. We have some pretty significant reservations – it really does change what an emergency department is about, which is about dealing with emergencies, and I would argue people with emergencies, probably the last thing on their mind is to bring their wallets," she said.
Ms Gallagher is set to meet with other health ministers in Sydney on Thursday.