A GLOWING scorecard for Warrnambool Base Hospital has been welcomed by the state government as the site deals with an increase in emergency patients.
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In the latest health services performance data, Warrnambool Base Hospital had extra patients across a number of categories including general, emergency and neo-natal.
A total of 3911 patients sought treatment in the hospital’s emergency department in the three months to the end of September.
This was 178 more than the number who presented at the department between April and June last year.
South West Healthcare chief executive John Krygger said the hospital surpassed all state targets and it was a tribute to the hard work of emergency department staff.
He said the increase in patient numbers was due to the region’s ageing population alongside other factors.
“It’s a glowing report card,” Mr Krygger said.
“Not only have we been able to meet state benchmarks, we’ve exceeded them at a time of greater patient demand.”
Ambulance arrivals at Warrnambool Base Hospital’s emergency department totalled 945 for the September quarter, up from 939 in the June quarter.
The government also promoted the hospital’s 100 per cent treatment rate of category-one emergency patients on arrival at the emergency departments.
A category-one patient is someone who has to be seen immediately on arrival, including those who have suffered a major trauma including stroke or heart attack.
State Health Minister David Davis said the proportion of emergency department patients treated and released within four hours statewide had also improved.
“These indicators all show a pleasing improvement in the way our hospitals are providing treatment to emergency department patients,” he said.
Opposition health spokesman Gavin Jennings was unavailable for comment yesterday.