By Atlantic Reports

Australia’s emergency care system is inadequately prepared for the needs of an ageing population, according to a report highlighting lengthy hospital admission delays for older patients.

The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (ACEM), which released the report on Tuesday, said 53,510 older patients spent more than 24 hours in emergency departments awaiting hospital beds in 2023–24.

That was a 254 per cent increase from the 15,084 recorded in 2018–19.

The figures concern patients waiting for admission, drawing attention to pressures extending beyond emergency departments to the availability of beds and care elsewhere in the health system.

Older patients require more intensive care

According to the report, nearly nine million people sought treatment at emergency departments nationwide in 2023–24, with people aged 65 and above accounting for one-quarter.

More than half of the older patients arrived by ambulance, nearly 70 per cent required urgent care, and half were admitted to hospital beds. By comparison, fewer than one-quarter of younger patients required admission.

Only 54 per cent of older patients who needed admission left emergency departments within the eight-hour target, the report said.

“Our health system and its workforce are just not equipped for this demographic change,” ACEM President Peter Allely said.

“Unless these serious issues are addressed as a matter of urgency, emergency care will come too late for many Australians.”

His comments represent the college’s assessment of the risks facing the system. The supplied account did not quantify deaths or other adverse outcomes attributable to admission delays.

Ageing population adds to demand

The report projected that emergency department visits by people aged 85 and above would rise by 411 per cent by 2050.

Separately, a federal Treasury intergenerational report released in September projected that Australians aged 65 and above would account for 24.8 per cent of the population by 2066, compared with a stated current share of 17.8 per cent.

These are projections rather than certain outcomes, but they indicate the scale of demand for which health and aged care services may need to prepare.

Calls for coordinated reform

ACEM recommended stronger integration between hospitals and aged care services, increased funding and a rapid expansion of residential aged care facilities.

The recommendations were directed at federal, state and territory governments. The supplied account did not include government responses, funding commitments or an implementation timetable.

For older patients and their families, the immediate concern is timely access to appropriate care. Addressing prolonged emergency department stays will require both capacity within hospitals and suitable services for people whose needs can be met in aged care or other settings.

Atlantic Reports: Voices. People. Facts.