The NSW Opposition has slammed the Minns Labor Government’s cuts to health funding for putting major pressure on the state’s hospital system and creating an emergency department crisis.
Shadow Minister for Health Matt Kean said that the health system is falling apart because of Labor’s cruel cuts.
“Data released by the Bureau of Health Information (BHI) today show a hospital system under immense strain. People are waiting longer to be seen and their health is at risk,” Mr Kean said.
“The number of people treated at emergency departments within four hours is in freefall, with the January to March quarter producing a record low.”
“This is a consequence of Labor’s budget mismanagement. They have lost control of the Budget and as a result have embarked on a rampage of health cuts hitting palliative care, frontline services and emergency departments.”
Shadow Minister for Regional Health Bronnie Taylor said the latest BHI data shows waiting times are up and the elective surgeries backlog is growing.
“While the Government are focused on cutting ribbons on health facilities that were delivered and funded by the former Liberal and Nationals Government, patients are left waiting in emergency departments around the state,” Mrs Taylor said.
“Across our regions our dedicated frontline workers are holding together a healthcare system in rapid decline under the Minns Labor Government.
“AMA (NSW) President Dr Kathryn Austin described this as a catastrophe waiting to happen. I urge Chris Minns to immediately reinstate critical health funding and stop putting politics and photo opportunities before the health of our state.”
The Opposition has also criticised Ryan Park for failing to acknowledge the impact of Labor’s cuts including:
- An increase in the number of people leaving emergency departments without treatment
- Record high emergency department overcrowding numbers
- An increase in the average length of stay in hospitals
- An increase in mental health admissions
- An increase to the backlog of elective surgery and
- Stagnant ambulance response times
“The Minns Labor Government has no plan to address this health crisis, which is of their own making. Shamefully the Minister failed to even acknowledge the emergency department crisis today in a pathetic attempt to sweep it under the rug,” Mr Kean said.
“Chris Minns and Ryan Park must reverse these cuts and restore hospital funding in next month’s Budget otherwise this crisis will only deepen.”