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Patients 'sleeping on floor' at Gold Coast hospital as wait times blow out

Marina Trajkovich

February 16, 2022 - 9.19am

A security guard allegedly assaulted on the Gold Coast claims he waited almost eight hours to be treated in a hospital emergency room.

Shane Wyrznyski said he attended the emergency department of the Gold Coast University Hospital after the alleged attack, which occurred while working in Surfers Paradise this week.

Mr Wyrznyski said his bicep was ruptured, requiring an ultrasound and surgery.

Shane Wyrznyski said he sustained significant injuries to his arm during an alleged attack in Surfers Paradise. Nine

After arriving at the emergency department at 4.34am, he said he left at 12.14pm the next day without receiving an ultrasound.

"I'm not sure if they said they're too busy or we can't get you in," Mr Wyrznyski said.

"That's eight hours sitting at a hospital."

He captured pictures of the crowded overnight waiting room, where he said patients were curled up on the floor.

Mr Wyrznyski said he was shocked to see patients waiting on the floor of the emergency department. Nine

"I can't see why on the Gold Coast, in Australia, why there are people sleeping on the ground in a hospital ward," Mr Wyrznyski said.

Queensland Health said the delays were owing to staff shortages in the hospital, with a number of patients facing life-threatening concerns that required large clinical teams.

"There were beds available but the clinical teams were concentrating on saving people's lives," Health Minister Yvette D'Ath said.