Impact of the National Emergency Access Target policy on emergency departments' performance: A time-trend analysis for New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Queensland.

ED presentations continued to increase over time in all jurisdictions. NSW and QLD, but not ACT, showed significant improvements in time-based measures. Significant increases in short-stay admissions suggest a strategic change in ED process associated with NEAT implementation. Rates of unplanned ED re-attendances and those leaving at their own risk showed no evidence for adverse effects from NEAT.