Thousands benefit from longer ED hours at Epworth Geelong

Key facts:

• Epworth Geelong ED became 24/7 in March 2022
• Expanded ED hours supported by increased ICU capacity
• 20 percent of ED patients are admitted to hospital

Now that Epworth is open overnight it is just around the corner and makes life a lot simpler.

In the last 12 months, thousands of extra people have benefited from around the clock care in the Epworth Geelong Emergency Department.

Epworth Geelong ED increased operating hours from 16 to 24 hours a day in March 2022.

Since then, more than two thousand people were treated in our ED between the hours of midnight and 8am.

Leonie Lloyd, Executive General Manager, Epworth Geelong, said the increased ED hours benefitted the community of Geelong.

“To meet growing demand, we Increased our Emergency Department hours to 24/7, supported by an expansion of our Intensive Care Unit and opening of an additional operating theatre,” Ms Lloyd said.

“We’ve also expanded cardiac and neurosurgery services and seen an increase in cancer services.”

More than 300 of the two thousand patients treated in the Epworth Geelong Emergency Department arrived by ambulance.

Ms Lloyd said extra Emergency Department capacity in the region is helping paramedics help the community.

“Our paramedics do a great job and we are pleased to provide them with another option to transport their patients needing an overnight emergency department. It means they’re able to get back on the road sooner and help the community.”

One of those patients to arrive by ambulance was 50 year-old Ashley Gemmill.

Last September, the Waurn Ponds man rang Triple Zero after developing chest pain in the early hours of the morning.

Mr Gemmill is pleased paramedics were able to take him to Epworth Geelong, which is just around the corner.

“The paramedics asked me where I wanted to go and we live in Waurn Ponds so I said I’d prefer to go to Epworth Geelong,” Mr Gemmill said.

“Now that Epworth is open overnight it is just around the corner and makes life a lot simpler. It is also easier for family to support those who are admitted to Epworth Geelong. It provides another option for healthcare for the Greater Geelong community.”

About 20 percent of patients who attend the Epworth Geelong Emergency Department are admitted.