Ambulance waiting times in North West Queensland have improved since 2022, with patients being transferred from stretcher to Emergency Department in under three minutes.

According to state-wide data for July-September 2022, the average ambulance lost time was 2.8 minutes, which improved to 2.1 minutes in the same quarter for 2023.

North West Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive Sean Birgan said the results seen in the third quarter of this year was more than 27 minutes less than the recommended timeframe for a patient to be transferred from the ambulance to the Emergency Department. 

“We are seeing patients in the North West being transferred within an average time of 2.1 minutes, which is a testament to the hardworking health and ambulance workers of the region,” Mr Birgan said.

“To assist with the reduction of Emergency Department presentations and ambulance lost time, we continue to promote the services of GP’s and pharmacies in our communities, and we are working with the Emergency Department to create innovative care models to address the growing demand.

“This includes strategies like avoiding hospital admissions and expanding services such as hospital in the home and Telehealth and supporting our local aged care provider with placement of eligible long-term patients.”