WSLHD emergency departments at Auburn, Blacktown, Mount Druitt and Westmead hospitals treated more than 6,500 patients requiring emergency care from December 21 2018 to January 1 2019, representing a 1.6 per cent increase compared to last year’s holiday period.
Blacktown Hospital treated almost 2,000 emergency department patients with nearly seven more ambulance arrivals per day over the holiday season, recording the highest increase in presentations at WSLHD hospitals (6.63 per cent).
On January 2, Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals experienced some of the highest emergency presentations across the metropolitan system (322 patients) – an increase of 74 people requiring emergency care at these facilities compared to last year.
Westmead Hospital’s emergency department director Dr Matthew Vukasovic said his team treated 2,752 patients over the holiday period.
“Christmas day was particularly busy compared to last year. Westmead Hospital had a 13 per cent increase in overall presentations,” Dr Vukasovic said.
Western Sydney emergency departments improved emergency care in 2018 despite the highest growth in patient presentations across NSW.
An initiative known as Project Red at Blacktown and Westmead hospitals has revolutionised the way patients are treated by analysing and changing areas that have previously slowed treatment down.
For advice or concerns, the public should remember that Healthdirect (1800 022 222) is always able to assist with medical advice at any time of the day or night. In the case of a health emergency, people should call Triple Zero (000).
Westmead and Blacktown hospitals are home to extensive infrastructure investment. The $1B NSW Government Westmead Hospital project is the biggest in the state and the $750 million Blacktown Hospital project will be complete this year.
