There is positive news for NSW’s state hospitals this month, as the latest state budget confirms further funding towards supporting improved medical care and shorter waiting times.
Close to $1.3 billion will be invested across a number of hospitals and health facilities in a move designed to increase the availability of quality treatment.
Hospitals set to receive the bulk of the funding include Westmead, St George, Sutherland and Gosford. Construction will also start shortly on two new hospitals at Bryon Central and Campbelltown.
NSW Health Minister Jillian Skinner explained these hospital upgrades are much needed and are set to significantly lift access to medical care across the board.
“These mammoth projects will be valued in the hundreds of millions of dollars and will change the way health care is delivered to these communities,” she said.
“We are committed to building the hospitals of the future for the benefit of patients.”
Reduced wait times
Hospital wait times have been an issue in NSW for many years, but these upgrades should release the pressure on emergency rooms and facilities.
In fact, recent data from the NSW Bureau of Health Information suggests more than a third of patients in Sydney’s five major hospitals aren’t treated within four hours of arrival.
Australasian College for Emergency Medicine President Anthony Cross told Fairfax Media the whole system has to work together to avoid patients missing vital medical treatment.
“That means the ambulance system has to work, the emergency department has to work, there has to be adequate aged care and rehabilitation beds,” he said.
“Despite all the flaws in the four-hour rule it … has clearly focused everyone on ensuring the whole healthcare system is functioning effectively.”
New data reveals gynaecology, urology and prostate surgery waits increased between 7 to 10 per cent since last year and Labor health spokesman Andrew McDonald says NSW has the longest waiting times for elective surgery in all of Australia.
Medical negligence compensation
Patients that developed further complications due to their non-treatment or delayed consultation could be eligible for medical negligence compensation and are urged to contact a lawyer that can help them with their claim.
As medical negligence compensation is a complex situation, it is best to take your claim directly to a lawyer. It is also important to record anything that could help your claim. If your negligence lawyer can have access to all relevant information, then you are more likely to be successful in your case.
