Gosford Hospital is showing 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 (BHI) data says Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch.
Across the state, the number of surgical patients waiting longer than clinically recommended decreased from 14,067 to 9,142 between the March and June quarters.
At Gosford Hospital this figure has dropped from 368 patients to 13, a 96 per cent reduction, Tesch said.
She said 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 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 maximising the efficiency of operating theatres for planned surgery.
But Tesch said the former State Government’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, she said.
Throughout the second quarter of 2023, there were 117,949 triage category 2 (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.
“After 12 years of neglect under the former Liberal National Government our hospital systems have been decimated, with our nurses, doctors, paramedics and patients left to suffer the consequences of this legacy,” Tesch said.
“There is a long way to go, however I am happy to see signs of improvement at Gosford Hospital, with a 96 per cent reduction in surgical patients waiting longer than clinically recommended.
“The Minns Labor Government is pursuing an ambitious and comprehensive suite of reforms to our health system to address the widespread pressures on our healthcare system.
“(We have) a clear focus … to restore and improve the essential services that we all rely on.
“Minister for Health, Ryan Park is commited to reforming our system so that everyone can be provided quality healthcare, while removing the extreme burden on our nurses, doctors and healthcare staff.
“Thank you to NSW Health and our healthcare staff across the Coast and NSW who look after our community daily.
“Our health staff continue to provide wonderful care for local patients despite the fact they have been under unprecedented pressure over the past few years.”
Source:
Member for Gosford Liesl Tesch