The latest quarterly assessment of New South Wales (NSW) hospitals indicates that the healthcare system is under considerable strain, despite reporting some minor improvements in ambulance ramping in suburban areas. The waitlist for elective surgeries has surged to an alarming 100,235 patients, nearing the peak levels witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data from the Bureau of Health Information highlights that 6,842 individuals are now waiting longer than clinically recommended, marking a staggering 220 per cent increase compared to 2023.
Paramedics are facing unprecedented levels of demand, with both triple-zero calls and ambulance responses hitting record figures. Between October and December of the last year, calls rose by 2.6 per cent, while ambulance responses increased by 3.1 per cent, bringing the total to 391,370 incidents. Additionally, patients are experiencing longer wait times for ambulance services, with the median response time for critical cases now at 8.4 minutes, a slight increase from the previous year.
Health Minister Ryan Park expressed hopes for better utilisation of urgent care, general practitioner (GP) services, and virtual care to reserve emergency departments for genuine emergencies. Notably, some of the busiest hospitals have seen reductions in ambulance ramping. For example, St George Hospital recorded a 25 per cent improvement in the timely transfer of patients from ambulances to hospital beds, while Blacktown Hospital improved by 23 per cent, Campbelltown by 9 per cent, and Liverpool by 7.2 per cent.
Despite these positive signs, the overall pressure on emergency departments remains severe. A total of 67,902 patients left emergency departments without receiving treatment, a concerning 32 per cent increase since 2019. Alarmingly, one in five of these individuals returned to the same or another emergency department within three days, further exacerbating the challenges facing the system.
While some advancements in ramping figures have been noted, highlights from the health report underline the ongoing need for significant improvements across the healthcare system in NSW.