The latest Bureau of Health Information (BHI) Healthcare Quarterly Report October to December 2024 shows Western NSW Local Health District maintained its planned surgery and emergency department performance, despite sustained and significant demand for hospital care.
WNSWLHD Chief Executive Mark Spittal thanked staff across the District for their dedication and commitment to providing safe, high-quality care to patients across the community throughout another busy period.
“This report shows our District maintained its strong performance throughout another busy quarter. That performance is a direct result of the hard work of our dedicated healthcare staff,” Mr Spittal said.
“Our staff continue to show incredible commitment to their communities, and continue to provide outstanding care. I want to thank them again for all of their effort.
“These reports show us where we are performing well, but also where we can improve. Our District is committed to providing safe, high-quality care to our communities and to continued improvement.”
During the final quarter of 2024, there were 53,448 attendances to the District’s EDs, including a high volume of patients presenting in the most urgent triage categories. This remained consistent with the same quarter in 2023 (53,602).
From October to December 2024, a record 5,606 patients presented to our EDs with an imminently life-threatening condition (triage category 2) an increase of 5.6 per cent, or 295 presentations, compared to the same quarter in 2023.
Similarly, the number of patients presenting to our EDs with an urgent (triage category 3) condition was 15,980, an increase of 4.9 per cent, or 753 presentations compared with the same quarter of the previous year.
Despite this increased demand, almost eight in 10 patients (77.5 per cent) started their treatment on time which is significantly better than NSW average (65.3 per cent). Across all individual triage categories the time to start treatment was also better than the state average.
Despite the notable increases in presentations of the most urgent triage categories, the vast majority of patients (81.9 per cent) were transferred from ambulance to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark time.
All patients are seen and triaged on arrival at the ED and, as always, the most seriously unwell patients are treated first. During busy times, people with less urgent conditions can experience longer wait times when there are large numbers of seriously unwell patients being prioritised for emergency care.
The District continues to work incredibly hard to ensure patients requiring planned surgery receive their procedures as soon as possible. There were 2,760 planned surgeries performed across the District during the October to December 2024 quarter.
More than eight in 10 patients (85.7 per cent) had their planned surgery performed on time and almost all urgent planned surgeries (99.4 per cent) were performed on time.
Patients who feel their condition may have deteriorated while waiting for their surgery are encouraged to contact their treating doctor who can review their condition and place them in a higher urgency category if appropriate.
The District also continues to ask the community for their support by saving emergency departments and ambulances for saving lives. If an illness or injury is not serious or life-threatening, we encourage people to call healthdirect on 1800 022 222, for 24-hour telephone health advice.
There were 774 babies born during the final quarter of 2024.
More information and data related to individual hospitals across the District can be found on the BHI website.
Past and present staff of Bourke Multipurpose Service (MPS) will be celebrated over the Easter weekend at a special reunion honouring their dedication and lasting impact on both the local community and broader region.
Western NSW Local Health District (WNSWLHD) is encouraging older people across the region to look after themselves during April Falls Month, by making sure they maintain regular exercise and activity to help stay independent.
Western NSW Local Health District is encouraging people from across the Warrumbungle Shire to have their say and help shape future delivery of healthcare services across the region.
