Victorians clogging up hospitals instead of visiting local GPs

Hospital emergency departments are increasingly being clogged up by Victorians who could be treated by their GPs, new data reveals.

A Productivity Commissioner report quoted in today’s Herald Sun reveals hospitals are being swamped with more than 12,000 patients weekly.

Dr Simon Judkins, President of the Australiasian College for Emergency Medicine, said while the numbers didn’t reveal the full story, he agreed for some, visiting a local hospital was a more convenient and cheaper option than waiting to see their preferred GP.

“I think that’s certainly true – I think there are people we do see who could have accessed their healthcare in other places,” he told Ross and John.

“Often, particularly in busy times, they are diverted to other resources.

“People need healthcare, we can’t necessarily force people away from the emergency department, that’s not the business we are in to.”

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