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Beds shortage forcing children to share wards with adults


ADULT patients are sleeping alongside children in overstretched hospitals despite doctors condemning the practice.

By allowing adults in the same wards as children, health authorities are defying their own protocols.

Just last week Port Macquarie Hospital in NSW was forced to house female patients in its paediatric ward because of bed shortages.

Hospital management admitted that it had to share wards or turn away patients, The Daily Telegraph reported.

"Strict guidelines are applied, including admitting only female patients of low acuity and who are non-infectious and attempting to place them separately from children in the Paediatric Unit," a hospital spokeswoman said.

The Australian Medical Association accused the NSW State Government of endangering lives.

Professor David Bennett, fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, said the problem was endemic.

"The reason it is not ideal is because there is the safety and protection of children. Young people have a right to be safe," Professor Bennett said.

"Part of the pressure is to save money so hospital administrators close paediatric wards so they can co-locate adults. There's potential for harm if children are sent to adult wards."

One of the most tragic examples was the death of teenager Vanessa Anderson, who was treated in the adult ward at Sydney's Royal North Shore Hospital in 2005.

Her case sparked an inquiry into the health system, which ordered health officials to "immediately cease" the mixing of sick children and adults.

Sutherland, John Hunter and Royal North Shore Hospitals have all resorted to locating adults in children's wards.

Dr Stephen Begbie, chairman of Port Macquarie Hospital's medical staff council, said he did not condone the practice but the alternative was to turn away patients.

"I do not agree that we should be putting adults in children's wards - it's not a good solution," he said.

"We are a regional hospital and we don't have the resources of metropolitan hospitals. The Government has not allocated our hospital any money for the next four years."

Last night NSW Health said the practice was considered a last resort: "Co-location of children with adults is not supported by NSW Health."



http://www.news.com.au/national/beds-shortage-forcing-chidlren-to-share-wards-with-adults/story-e6frfkvr-1225839372303