NSW: Emergency room audit shows hospitals struggling

AAP General News (Australia)
12-15-2003
NSW: Emergency room audit shows hospitals struggling

The New South Wales opposition says the latest report on Sydney's hospitals confirms
they're in crisis.

The report by New South Wales Auditor-General BOB SENDT found the average time a Sydney
hospital was on code red almost trebled in just 12 months.

Code red is when a hospital is forced to turn away all but life threatening cases.

Mr SENDT says in winter last year, hospitals were on code-red for an average of two-and-a-half
hours per day, but that went up to about seven hours a day in winter this year.

Opposition health spokesman BARRY O'FARRELL says the report shows a health system in crisis.

New South Wales Health Minister MORRIS IEMMA has conceded public hospitals are under
more pressure.

But he says it's partly due to people going to hospital emergency departments rather
than going to a GP who doesn't bulk-bill.

AAP RTV jph/jh/rca/rp

KEYWORD: CODE (SYDNEY)

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