Public hospitals in Kogarah are showing small signs of improvement, in spite of the broader NSW health system continuing to face major pressures, according to the latest release of Bureau of Health Information data.
Across NSW, the number of surgical patients waiting longer than clinically recommended have decreased from 14,067 to 9,142 between the March quarter to June quarter.
At St George Hospital this figure has dropped from 661 patients waiting at the end of March to 265 at the end of June.
Just days after being sworn in, Health Minister Ryan Park established the NSW Surgical Care Taskforce dedicated to improving the delivery of surgical services and reducing the state’s elective surgery wait list.
The taskforce has brought together some of the State’s leading clinical experts, working in both the public and private health sectors.
It continues to examine a range of best-practice models, including by safely increasing day-only surgery, boosting virtual care and remote monitoring of patients, enhancing systems of referrals and assessment of patients by multidisciplinary teams, and by maximising the efficiency of operating theatres for planned surgery.
However, the NSW Liberal’s and National’s lack of investment in frontline health workers, including only temporarily funding 1,112 nurses and midwives continues to loom large over the state’s hospitals.
The latest BHI data shows continuing high levels of demand for emergency care, including record NSW Ambulance activity.
Throughout the second quarter of 2023, there were 117,949 emergency presentations to NSW public hospitals, the highest number on record.
Despite the increase in more complex presentations, the majority of patients, 65.8 per cent, started their treatment on time, an improvement on the same quarter last year.
Throughout the quarter, more than seven in 10 patients, 74.1 per cent, were transferred from ambulance to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark time, also an improvement on the same quarter of last year.
The Minns Labor Government remains committed to improving the essential health services our community deserve and building an engaged, capable and supported workforce.
