Vic: Numbers of patients waiting on hospital trolleys triples

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Vic: Numbers of patients waiting on hospital trolleys triples

The number of patients waiting on trolleys in Victorian hospitals for more than 12hours has reportedly tripled since 1999.

The Sunday Herald Sun says a survey comparing the March 2002 quarter with the March1999 quarter has shown an increase from 1614 to 5044 patients.

It says the figures were obtained under freedom of information laws by Victorian Oppositionhealth spokesman RON WILSON.

Mr WILSON has blamed the state government, calling the delays unacceptable.

But State Health Minister JOHN THWAITES blames the federal government, saying emergencydepartments are dealing with a 12 per cent growth in patient numbers in the past yearbecause of a decline in GP numbers and problems in obtaining nursing home beds.

AAP RTV sjg/rt

KEYWORD: TROLLEYS (MELBOURNE)