The family of a man directed to an outdoor triage area at Cairns Hospital say it is unsafe and unfair to force people dealing with medical emergencies to wait outside in heatwave conditions.
Jacquie Price took her 26-year-old nephew Jake (who has chosen not to reveal his surname) to the hospital's emergency department last week with a suspected broken arm.
Ms Price says they were shocked to be directed to an outdoor triage area when the outside temperature was more than 35 degrees Celsius.
"Especially when the emergency room seemed to have nobody waiting in it," Ms Price said.
"It took 10 minutes for him to walk from the emergency room to that area because every step he took moved his arm and he was just in so much pain."
The area Jake was directed to is Cairns Hospital's rapid access clinic, which was set up in late January.
Director of emergency medicine at Cairns Hospital Richard Stone noted the clinic initially provided emergency care for COVID-positive patients at low risk of serious illness from the virus.
"As COVID numbers have gradually decreased since January, the rapid access clinic has transitioned to providing emergency care to patients with minor illness and injury who are assessed as safe to walk to the adjacent building to be seen by an emergency clinician," Dr Stone said.
'Dodgy area, not up to scratch'
Ms Price said Jake waited on a plastic chair in oppressive heat for more than 90 minutes before receiving any meaningful treatment.
X-rays on his arm later revealed his humerus was broken in several places.
Ms Price said Jake was not the only patient with a significant injury waiting outside in the elements.
"We saw a lady come with a suspected broken foot ... there were numerous little toddlers coming in with parents who were crying and upset," she said.
"There was a guy I know in a wheelchair who has cancer and had a terribly infected foot, and another guy who had a stonefish injury.
Dr Stone said while the outdoor waiting area for the rapid access clinic is undercover and provided with fans, the service recognises it can be hot at times.
"There is cold water available at all times and most patients are seen promptly in the air-conditioned clinic," Dr Stone said.
"Staff are rotated at regular intervals to roles in air conditioning.
"We are currently investigating further improvements to the rapid access clinic to ensure that staff and patients are protected from the heat as much as possible."
Ms Price said she could not fathom how a health facility could operate in such a fashion.
"It's just a dodgy area that's not up to scratch," she said.
"You can't tell me that Cairns Hospital, or Queensland Health, don't have the funds to make that a more comfortable space for staff and patients to be in an emergency."
Ms Price said her family will raise their concerns with Queensland's Health Minister.
