The latest BHI data shows just how dire the situation is across some hospitals in New South Wales with figures showing around one in ten patients leaving Western Sydney Emergency Departments without treatment, or before treatment can be completed.
Across the state, it’s 1 in every 13 – or 55,305 patients in the most recent quarter who left the ED without, or before completing, treatment – more than any quarter since 2010.
This is on top of an all-time high of 42.9 per cent of the most critical emergency department patients not having their treatment start on time – the highest percentage since reporting began in 2010.
What this data shows is chronic underinvestment in our hospital and health system under the NSW Liberals and Nationals – and it is under serious strain, particularly as we hit the peak of flu and COVID cases.
In the year before COVID hit, NSW hospital bed capacity went backwards by over 500 beds. Now, people are being forced to leave emergency departments without getting treatment as the strain from underinvestment causes real world impacts on those seeking critical urgent care.
Our hospitals are at breaking point. Under the Liberals and Nationals, people are waiting longer for ambulances. And when they finally get to the hospital, they’re waiting longer to get treated there too.
Tragically – this has forced more people than ever to simply up and leave without treatment.
NSW Labor Leader, Chris Minns said:
“Ask anyone who has been to the hospital recently, and they will tell you our health and hospital system is overstretched.
“I’ve been out visiting emergency departments – the waiting rooms are full, and you really feel for our paramedics, nurses and doctors who are doing a fantastic job in trying circumstances.
“What this shows is a chronic underinvestment in health by the Liberals and Nationals over the last decade.
“We now in the midst of a pandemic and a serious flu season and we’re seeing first hand what a lack of investment does – longer waiting times, a stretched hospital system, and over worked front line health workers.”
Shadow Minister for Health, Ryan Park said:
“Twelve years of this Government understaffing and under resourcing our states hospitals has led to a situation where every day sick people are leaving Emergency Departments without getting treated because of delays.
“In western Sydney one in ten patients are forced to leave due to delays in getting treated and other this Government it’s only getting worse.”
“Whether it’s delays in waiting for an ambulance to arrive, delays in getting treatment at your local Emergency Department or delays in getting important surgery, 12 years of underinvestment in our hospitals mean in NSW accessing healthcare is getting harder every day under this Government.”
CHRIS MINNS MP
NSW LABOR LEADER
RYAN PARK MP
SHADOW MINISTER FOR HEALTH
