A multi-million-dollar expansion of the Queensland Ambulance Service Clinical Hub will aim to ease pressure on the state’s hospitals.
State Health and Ambulance Services Minister Tim Nicholls said the $8.31 million upgrade would ensure more people received critical advice and support when they dialled Triple Zero (000), potentially negating the need for a hospital visit.
Minister Nicholls said the 24/7 Hub was staffed by a multi-disciplinary team made up of senior paramedics, specialist doctors, registered nurses, mental health and social workers, occupational therapists and physiotherapists.
He said the clinicians monitored calls from patients and ensured frontline resources and emergency departments were saved for those who needed them.
“The expanded $8.31 million QAS Clinical Hub will ensure more patients can be linked into the most appropriate care for their needs, allowing frontline paramedics and ambulance vehicles to be available for emergencies, and support relieving pressure in the broader health system.”
QAS Assistant Commissioner Alex Thompson said the expansion included additional telehealth capacity and would mean more Queenslanders could be helped in their time of need.
“The QAS Clinical Hub undertakes up to 1700 daily patient interactions across Queensland, ensuring patient safety and where appropriate, identifying alternative healthcare pathways for patients,” Mr Thompson said.
“Not everyone calling Triple Zero (000) requires an ambulance response, so by expanding this service, our staff can connect more patients with the most appropriate care for their needs.
“The specialist, multi-disciplinary team within the Clinical Hub virtually engage with and assess patients, prior to the dispatch of an ambulance vehicle.”
