NSW Labor is demanding the Government immediately address the systemic healthcare crisis in Western Sydney, after a new report revealed patients are receiving a lower level of care than the rest of the city.
The annual Admitted Patient survey from the Bureau of Health Information shows patients in Western Sydney continue to be let down by the Government:
- Bankstown, Liverpool, Nepean, Westmead and Fairfield hospitals are all rated significantly less favourably than the rest of NSW
- Barely half of patients in these Western Sydney hospitals reported ‘very good’’ care while in hospital
- Local Health District level analysis shows Northern Sydney and South Eastern Sydney almost 20 percentage points better than the South Western Sydney and Western Sydney LHDs
The Shadow Minister for Health, Ryan Park, said health outcomes should not be determined by postcodes.
“Healthcare workers and doctors in Western Sydney have gone above and beyond to do the best they can with what they have. But the reality is, there’s a severe lack of funding and shocking staff shortages,” Mr Park said.
“It shouldn’t matter where you live in Sydney or NSW, everyone should receive the same level of healthcare and be able to get the medical attention they need in a timely fashion. This is about equality, fairness and a fundamental right to healthcare.”
The Shadow Minister for Western Sydney, Greg Warren, said the healthcare crisis in Western Sydney has been years in the making.
“The growing population in Western Sydney is putting immense pressure on local health services yet funding and resourcing have failed to keep pace and that’s putting lives at risk,” Mr Warren said.
“Once again, Western Sydney is being left behind. Communities across Western Sydney have consistently been short-changed by the Government. Western Sydney simply wants a fair go.”