A patient’s death at Ballarat Base Hospital has intensified concerns about pressure on regional emergency departments, with staff describing conditions as increasingly difficult and unsafe.

The man arrived at the Victorian hospital by ambulance in July and reportedly required oxygen. According to emergency department staff who spoke to ABC News, he was moved into the emergency department waiting room after paramedics needed to return to service.

While waiting, the patient suffered a cardiac arrest and was taken through the waiting room to a resuscitation area. He later died at another hospital.

Grampians Health has declined to comment on the individual case, citing patient privacy, but acknowledged the significant pressures facing its emergency department.

Staff have described the situation as a broader system problem rather than an isolated incident.

One doctor described the emergency department as a “constant pressure cooker”, while another staff member said conditions had become “unsustainable”.

The figures show the pressure extends beyond Ballarat.

Between January and March this year, about 3,300 patients across Victoria spent at least 24 hours in emergency departments after being admitted. Around 2,330 — or 70 per cent — were in regional and rural hospitals.

Ballarat, Albury and Bendigo recorded some of the highest numbers.

Victoria’s health department has a target of zero patients spending more than 24 hours in an emergency department.

Staff say overcrowding, shortages of inpatient beds and delays in transferring patients are contributing to long waits. Some workers have also reported patients spending multiple nights in hospital corridors.

Grampians Health said extended waits can occur when patients require admission but inpatient beds are unavailable. It said improving access to beds and reducing delays remain priorities.

The Ballarat Base Hospital redevelopment is expected to provide additional capacity when completed in late 2027.

However, for frontline workers, the immediate concern remains whether the existing system can safely manage current demand.

The incident has renewed questions about whether regional hospitals have enough staff, beds and resources to provide timely emergency care.