The WA Country Health Service has seen more than 87,500 emergency presentations in the South West throughout 2018, the highest number out of any region in the state.
The Collie Hospital had a total of 6,064 emergency patients last year, the Boyup Brook Soldiers Memorial Hospital had 683 emergency patients, the Donnybrook Hospital had 1,788 and the Bridgetown District Hospital had 3,416.
The Busselton Health Campus had the second highest number of emergency patients with 20,867, after the Bunbury Hospital, which had a total of 37, 258 emergency patients.
WA Country Health Service assistant regional director Jeremy Higgins said it had been a particularly busy year in 2018 across the region’s health services.
“Collectively in 2018, our 13 South West sites have seen a total of 87,461 emergency presentations alone,” he said.
“This figure represents the highest number of regional emergency department presentations in Western Australia and equates to around 240 people through our emergency department doors each day.”
He said the figure acted as a testament to all WA Country Health Service staff in the region but did not represent the thousands of additional outpatients, inpatients, community care and telehealth clients who received treatment throughout the year.
“I would like to acknowledge our incredible staff including doctors, nurses, support and administration and infrastructure as well as our wonderful volunteer,” Mr Higgins said.
“It takes a team to save a life and to care for those in need.”
On behalf of the WA Country Health Service, Mr Higgins wished the region a safe Christmas and New Year and thanked the front line staff and volunteers who are working over the festive period.
“We don’t stop – when most people take a step back and have a well-deserved break,” he said.
“Our people continue working, caring for people and saving lives.”