Variation by age and sex
In 2017–18, ED presentations were evenly split between males and females. Overall, the crude rate of presentations per 1,000 population were similar for both sexes at 334.7 for males and 327.5 for females.
For those aged 0–14, substantially more boys (56%) than girls (44%) presented to EDs.
Patients aged 4 and under (who make up less than 7% of the population), accounted for about 11% of all ED presentations in 2017–18. There were 620.7 presentations per 1,000 population for males (crude rate) and 510.1 presentations per 1,000 population for females (crude rate) in this age group.
Patients aged 65 and over (who make up about 15% of the population) accounted for about 22% of all ED presentations in 2017–18. For patients aged 85 and over, there were 922.7 presentations per 1,000 population for males (crude rate) and 750.3 presentations per 1,000 population for females (crude rate).
See Table 3.1 and S3.1 for caveat information on these data. Available to download in the data section.