Bairnsdale Regional Health Service (BRHS) has released a summer snapshot of Emergency Department activity, highlighting sustained demand, more complex patient presentations, and the continued delivery of safe, high-quality care for the East Gippsland community.
Between 25 December and 27 January, the Emergency Department cared for 2,412 people, which is an average of 71 people presenting to the Emergency Department per day.
The majority of patients, 83 per cent, were local East Gippsland residents, reinforcing that demand is being driven primarily by community need rather than seasonal visitors. This is up 3 per cent on last year’s data, when 80 per cent of presentations to ED were locals.
Ambulance arrivals increased by just over five per cent, with 521 ambulance presentations recorded during the period.
BRHS Chief Executive Officer Peter Abraham said the snapshot highlights both the increasing demand for local healthcare and the importance of planning to support the region’s future needs.
“Our team delivered safe, high-quality care every day throughout a very busy summer period,” Mr Abraham said.
“East Gippsland is experiencing some of the fastest-growing demand for healthcare in the state, driven by population growth and an ageing community.
“This reinforces how important it is that we continue planning now to ensure our community can access safe, high-quality care close to home, both now and into the future.”
The snapshot also showed patients presenting to the Emergency Department were more unwell overall, with more patients requiring urgent treatment, admission to hospital, and longer periods of assessment and monitoring.
Mr Abraham said these efforts reflect the commitment of our dedicated workforce right across BRHS and their ongoing focus on delivering the best care experience for every person, every time.
“We know feeling unwell and waiting for care can be stressful, and we remain focused on ensuring that every person can continue to receive high-quality healthcare close to home.”
About the BRHS Emergency Department
Bairnsdale Regional Health Service’s Emergency Department provides 24-hour urgent and emergency care for people experiencing serious illness or injury across East Gippsland. The department includes nine presentation cubicles and is equipped to assess, stabilise and treat patients requiring immediate medical attention, from acute illness and injury to life-threatening emergencies. Patients present both independently and via ambulance, with care prioritised based on clinical urgency to ensure those most in need receive timely treatment. As the region’s primary emergency care service, the BRHS Emergency Department plays a vital role in delivering safe, high-quality care close to home for the local community.
