DR MICHAEL HOLLAND MP
MEMBER FOR BEGA

LIZA BUTLER
NSW LABOR CANDIDATE FOR THE SOUTH COAST

Dr Michael Holland, Member for Bega and NSW Labor Candidate for the South Coast, Liza Butler are calling on the Government to take immediate action to increase resources to help relieve the pressure and provide the care residents of the South Coast deserve at the Shoalhaven District Memorial Hospital.

With the holiday period in full swing, the Shoalhaven District Hospital has seen increased wait times in Emergency, with the most recent Bureau of Health Information Report showing 42% of patients spending upwards of 4 hours in the waiting room.

The same report revealed over 2 million patients left emergency departments without being admitted or referred in the last year alone, and it’s not just Emergency Departments under enormous pressure.

The latest report from the Australian Medical Association shows the New South Wales health system has more than 77,800 patients in backlog awaiting elective surgery, making up a quarter of the nationwide figure.

According to AMA president, Prof Steve Robson, the number of people waiting for elective surgery is expected to reach more than 500,000 by 30 June 2023.

After 12 years under the Liberal-National Government our hospitals are in crisis and in dire need for extra funding and urgent reform.

NSW Labor have a plan for long term reform of our health system including introducing minimum and enforceable safe staffing levels to public hospitals, starting with emergency departments.

The proposal will see an additional 1,200 nurses and midwives recruited into the system in the first four years of a Labor Government; as well as recruiting an additional 500 paramedics to regional and rural communities in the first term of government to help ease the pressure in our hospitals.

Quotes attributed to Dr Michael Holland MP:

“Much like in my Electorate of Bega, it’s clear the Shoalhaven Hospital is not coping with the increased demand which is putting South Coast residents’ lives at risk”

“With the South Coast having some of the oldest demographics in the state, the delay of elective surgery can be incredibly dangerous and often life-threatening”

“I would add that elective surgery is not unnecessary surgery”

“These delays can adversely affect people’s quality of life for months to years” 

Quotes attributed to Liza Butler, Candidate for South Coast:

“After the last election, the LNP committed to the upgrade of Shoalhaven Hospital. Yet here we are 4 years on and still nothing.”

“In the meantime, the population has grown hospital waiting lists have increased and ambulance ramping is occurring regularly.”

“The situation at Shoalhaven and Milton hospitals is exacerbated by the removal and lack of services over the past 6 year. While the population and the need on the South Coast increases all we have seen after 12 years is a decrease or lack of services”