Under Dominic Perrottet and the Liberals and Nationals, people living in NSW have to wait longer to get an ambulance, longer to be treated in an emergency department and longer for important non-urgent surgeries. 

This is the scathing picture presented by the latest Bureau of Health Information (BHI) released yesterday, shining a light on 12 years of under investment in the NSW health system under this Liberal and National Government. 
 
At Maitland Hospital, 24.91% of patients left emergency without completing treatment – or nearly 1 in 4. This is the highest number on record in the state and an increase of 73.3% when compared to the same reporting quarter in 2021 despite presentations being 6.4% less.  
 
If a patient did wait in emergency to seek treatment, 39.5% of patients spent over 4 hours in the waiting room. 
 
These figures show the dire state of our health system. It’s not fair on our hardworking healthcare professionals to have to manage a system that is stretched to its limits. 
 
Member for Maitland Jenny Aitchison said: 
 
“The latest BHI data is alarming and clearly shows a health system that is failing. 
 
“Under Dominic Perrottet and the Liberals and Nationals we have longer waiting times, a stretched hospital system, and over worked front line health workers. 
 
“We have a brand new and shiny half a billion-dollar hospital here in Maitland but unfortunately the government has failed to ensure that we have a world class health system to match. 

“It is unacceptable that a quarter of patients choose to leave the emergency department before they get treated or when people have to wait almost 24 hours to be seen. 
 
“Our hospitals need more resources, our health staff need more support and the people of Maitland deserve better.” 
 
“We clearly have a Government who has been focused on cutting ribbons instead of ensuring our hospital and health services are safely staffed and resourced.”