Australian hospitals busier and busier
Hospital admissions have surged 17% according to the 2010 State of Our Public Hospitals report.
Since 2004, admissions have grown from just over four million to almost five million a year. Emergency department presentations have grown by 22%, from almost six million to more than seven million a year over the same period. In that time, Australia’s population grew 8.2%.
The cost of an average hospital admission has increased by 14% over and above inflation from $3,930 to $4,471 in 2008-09 prices.
Once established, the National Performance Authority, as part of the National Health and Hospitals Network, will provide regular reports on the performance of every public and private hospital, on every Local Hospital Network and on local primary care services.
The State of our Public Hospitals, June 2010 report is available from www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/sooph10
