NSW announces $130.7m for emergency short-stay units amid political clash
The New South Wales government has unveiled a $130.7 million plan to expand emergency short-stay units across the state, a move it says will ease pressure on hospital emergency departments. Premier Chris Minns announced the investment, which will fund additional beds and treatment spaces for patients who need short-term care after initial assessment.
The state government said the money will allow an extra 22,000 patients to be treated each year in these units, which are designed for patients who need up to 24 hours of additional treatment but do not require a traditional hospital admission. The plan is part of a larger $11.9 billion commitment to deliver 32 new and upgraded hospitals and more than 2500 additional beds and treatment spaces, according to 7NEWS Australia.
Where the units will be built
Westmead Hospital, currently with 15 short-stay units, will receive six more. Campbelltown, Nepean, Maitland, John Hunter, St George, and Wyong hospitals will share 22 new treatment spaces, with the locations of a further eight units yet to be determined.
"St George Hospital is one of the busiest in the state, and this investment will help more patients get the care they need sooner," said Steve Kamper, Member for Rockdale, as reported by 7NEWS Australia.
Health Minister Ryan Park attributed the need for the investment to what he called a Coalition failure to build enough hospitals and beds in some of the state's highest-growth areas. The premier said emergency departments "are under constant and sustained pressure, regardless of the time of year," according to 7NEWS.
The announcement follows a record winter for the state's health system. According to the government, nearly 10,000 patients presented to Sydney emergency departments on August 3, the biggest winter day on record. More than half a million patients have been admitted to short-stay units across the state in the past two-and-a-half years, with more than 500,000 emergency short-stay admissions since the beginning of 2024.
Opposition criticises plan as 'band-aid solution'
The plan has drawn sharp criticism from Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane, who called it insufficient to address the scale of the problem.
"Our emergency departments are in crisis and we need more than band-aid solutions," Sloane said, as quoted by The Canberra Times. "22 beds or recliner chairs isn't going to make a huge difference."
Sloane also backed calls for an inquiry into NSW's health system, following reports that health workers felt "back-stabbed" by the premier's pre-election campaigning. The opposition leader's comments highlight the political stakes surrounding the state's health performance, which became a key issue during the election.
Health Services Union NSW secretary Gerard Hayes told AAP the investment was essential for the smooth functioning of emergency departments.
Perspectives
NSW Government: Premier Chris Minns and Health Minister Ryan Park argue the investment is a necessary step to relieve pressure on emergency departments, with Minns pointing to past government failures and the need for ongoing investment. The government says it has recruited more than 8,000 nurses and kept its promises to the health workforce.
Opposition: Kellie Sloane and the Coalition argue the plan is too modest, with Sloane saying "22 beds or recliner chairs isn't going to make a huge difference." She has called for a broader inquiry into the health system and pointed to ongoing staffing and wait-time issues.