[Marshy]

I've worked in ERs in both Sydney and Melbourne, Australia. and yes very similar circumstances. one thing that I always advise people that I know is to try smaller/ private hospitals if your condition isn't life threatening as the bigger metro hospitals are busy with the major traumas and more serious illness (obviously). another thing that can often get you in faster is presenting via ambulance as opposed to self presenting. since health care is more or less free in Australia, people will seek services without a second thought of cost etc so quite often waiting rooms are filled with patients who don't need emergency room care.