In July, DCM Group's SATURDAY magazine reported 2,000 hospital beds nationwide were occupied by aged care candidates beyond their estimated date of discharge.
Now Queensland hospitals have received the highest number of influenza admissions in more than five years, with 52% of them aged over 65. In response, the Queensland Government is investing $88 million to increase hospital capacity.
The state's admissions for flu have already surpassed the 2019 flu season, one of the most severe on record, by around 1,000 cases.
The money will be spent on:
- bringing 99 new beds online for long stay patients, including 15 interim care beds and contracted beds in the private sector;
- providing extra resources, including more nurses, to improve ED triaging;
- extending the hours of Minor Injury and Illness Clinics on the Gold Coast to run 24/7 and in Caloundra until 10pm, and.
- expanding the Hospital in the Home program.
