Parents will now be able to access information about the Royal Children’s Hospital emergency department in real time, to help them choose where to take their kids in an emergency.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Health Jill Hennessy today unveiled a new online portal that provides an up-to-date picture of likely wait times at the busy emergency department – 24 hours a day.
The Victorian-first RCH Emergency Department Status Tool rates current activity from normal to very busy or extremely busy using an easy to understand colour code – helping parents decide whether to head to a local emergency department or a GP.
Data shows more than 60 per cent of patients with non-life-threatening illnesses or injury bypass their local hospital on their way to the Royal Children’s Hospital – and patients with less serious cases can face long delays.
Long waits can be frustrating – so by giving families real-time information about the status of the emergency department, the Andrews Labor Government is giving patients the treatment they need faster and making the emergency department safer for hard-working health care staff.
As winter approaches, the Labor Government has allocated $50 million to 17 of Victoria’s biggest health services – including the Royal Children’s Hospital – to plan ahead and cater for more patients presenting at emergency departments.
As part of this boost, the Royal Children’s Hospital has received funding for extra short stay capacity, so they can treat more patients, faster.
This year’s Budget includes a record $2.1 billion boost to health care – giving our valued doctors, nurses and health care workers the tools and resources they need to treat more patients, sooner.
In the quarter ending March, the Royal Children’s Hospital treated 17,468 patients – higher than the 17,361 the year before. All Category 1 patients were treated immediately, while 98.4 per cent of patients were transferred within the 40-minute target – higher than the 97.3 per cent transfer rate for the year prior.
The Status Tool can be found at
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“As a parent, there’s nothing worse than being faced with an emergency with a sick or injured child – this website will help parents make an informed choice about where to take their child to get the fastest care.”
“As we head into the busy winter months – it’s vital we give our hard-working doctors and nurses everything they need to provide better, faster and safer treatment to Victorian families.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“By providing real time information about waiting times in emergency departments, we’re helping parents make informed decisions about where to take their children.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020