Rising demand for satellite clinics

Moreton Bay’s two new Satellite Hospital Minor Injury and Illness Clinics (MIIC) treated almost 22,000 patients from opening to the end of March.

Queensland Health figures show Caboolture Satellite Hospital, pictured above, had 13,739 patients from opening on August 3, 2023 to March 31 this year.

That included 2765 in the two months to September 30, 5277 in the October-December quarter and 5697 in the January to March quarter.

Kallangur Satellite Hospital, which opened on December 11, had 1246 patients in the three weeks to the end of 2023 and 6847 in the January-March quarter.

Together Caboolture and Kallangur saw 21,832 patients from opening to the end of the March quarter.

Added to MIICs at Ripley (opened August 30), Redlands (August 28) and Tugun (November 15), more than 55,000 patients were treated to March 31 this year with 30,000 from January-March.

The satellite hospitals provide free treatment for non-life-threatening illnesses and injuries, including strains, sprains, simple fractures, simple infections and minor burns.

“The positive community response to our satellite hospitals is giving emergency departments more capacity to focus on caring for patients with life-threatening conditions,” a Queensland Health spokesperson said:

“People in the south-east corner will soon have even greater access to a satellite hospital when facilities at Eight Mile Plains and Bribie Island open (later) this year.”

Using Emergency Department classifications, Caboolture MIIC had three Category 1 (immediately life-threatening) presentations in the October-December quarter and one from January-March.

There were 121 Category 2 (imminently life-threatening) patients in October-December and 150 January-March, with 823 Category 3 (potentially life-threatening) in both quarters.

Caboolture MIIC saw 2956 Category 4 (potentially serious) patients October-December and 3556 January-March, with 1383 Category 5 (less urgent) patients October-December and 1167 January-March.

Kallangur MIIC, in its opening three weeks, had one Category 1 presentation, 54 Category 2, 296 Category 3, 753 Category 4 and 142 Category 5.

In its first full quarter, January-March, there were eight Category 1 patients, 293 Category 2, 1831 Category 3, 4115 Category 4 and 600 Category 5.

In the January-March quarter Caboolture Satellite Hospital saw 1729 outpatients and Kallangur 1155. Ripley had 6645, Redlands 3253 and Tugun 981.

When Bribie opens, at 103 First Ave, Bongaree, it will have renal dialysis, chemotherapy and day medical chairs; appointments with mental health specialists; a rehabilitation gym; oral health services and a Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Hub.

Kallangur Satellite Hospital, at 9 Stoker Way, has renal dialysis chairs; a rehabilitation gym; oral health services and a Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Hub.

Caboolture Satellite Hospital, at 15 Rowe St, include mental health specialists; oral health services; sleep studies clinic and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Hub.

Minor Injury and Illness Clinics are open seven days a week, are free for Medicare card holders and do not require an appointment.