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Fit to Sit Policy

Applicable to: This policy is applicable to Health Service Providers (HSPs) that provide emergency care and the Department of Health.

Description: The purpose of the Fit to Sit Policy (the policy) is to outline requirements for the management of patients assessed as clinically suitable to be transferred from ambulance services to the site Emergency Department (ED) waiting room.

Fit to Sit is used by ambulance services and EDs to identify clinically stable patients who are able to be safely directed to a seated waiting area, enabling ambulance officer/s to return to service and respond to other emergencies in the community more rapidly. Clear and standardised Fit to Sit criteria are essential to ensure systemwide consistency, maintain patient safety, and support efficient triage in dynamic clinical environments.

The policy is underpinned by the following key principles:

  • ensure fair and equitable access to hospital, based on clinical requirement.
  • deliver care guided by professional responsibilities, training and expertise, and prioritises patient safety, wellbeing and dignity.
  • improve use of critical health system resources.
  • reduce length of stay by improving access block and supporting the timely release of ambulances from hospital to the community.
  • promote consistency in decision-making through streamlined processes that align ambulance and ED teams.

Legislation pertinent to this policy includes:

This policy is a mandatory requirement for Health Service Providers under the Clinical Services and Planning Policy Framework pursuant to section 26(2)(d) of the Health Services Act 2016.

This policy is also a mandatory requirement for the Department of Health pursuant to section 29 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994.

This policy is to be read in conjunction with the following:

This policy supersedes OD 0351/11 Triage of Metropolitan Emergency Department Patients that Arrive via Ambulance into the Waiting Room.

 

Date of effect: 28 August 2026

Policy Framework

Supporting information