Doctors warn hospital overcrowding has reached the worst level on record
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If you’ve found yourself waiting longer than ever in a hospital emergency department lately, you’re not alone—and you’re certainly not imagining things.
Doctors are sounding the alarm, saying this winter’s overcrowding is the worst they’ve ever seen.
With winter illnesses like the flu and respiratory infections surging, our hospitals are under more pressure than ever, and it’s leaving many of us wondering: what’s really going on, and what can we do to protect ourselves and our loved ones?
According to NSW Health Minister Ryan Park, more than 45,000 people presented to emergency departments (EDs) in just five days this July.
Monday alone saw almost 10,000 presentations—a whopping 9.2 per cent increase compared to the same time last year.
And it’s not just the sniffles: over 900 people showed up with influenza-like illnesses in a single week.
Doctors on the front lines are feeling the strain. Speaking anonymously, one emergency physician from south-west Sydney described the situation as 'the worst winter by far' and said the level of overcrowding is 'the worst we’ve ever seen.'
The problem, they say, is getting worse every year, with staff being asked to do more with the same resources, all while the population ages and GP appointments become harder to secure.
It’s a perfect storm of factors. While the number of less urgent cases (like minor injuries or mild illnesses) coming to EDs has actually dropped by about 10 per cent—thanks to more alternatives like urgent care clinics and telehealth—those who do come in are sicker and need more care.
Dr Rhys Ross-Browne, NSW chair for the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, says these very sick patients take up most of the resources and time, but often can’t get a bed elsewhere in the hospital.
Many hospital beds are occupied by patients who no longer need acute hospital care but cannot be discharged.
The main culprits: a shortage of aged care places and NDIS-supported accommodation. This means people who are ready to leave the hospital are stuck, and new patients can’t get in.
The numbers are sobering. In the first quarter of 2025, the median time for a patient to be treated and either admitted or transferred was eight hours.
The target is for 80 per cent of patients to be admitted or transferred within six hours, but 10 per cent of people needing admission or transfer waited almost 22 hours. That’s nearly a full day in the ED!
Minister Park says the government is working to relieve pressure by creating more 'alternative pathways to care' outside hospitals.
He’s encouraging people to call Healthdirect—a 24-hour health advice hotline—for non-life-threatening conditions.
Healthdirect’s chief operations officer, Travis Hodgson, says their nurses can safely de-escalate the need for an ED visit 61 per cent of the time, connecting callers to urgent care clinics, GPs, or virtual care services.
But not everyone is convinced. Some doctors argue that Healthdirect can only do so much, since nurses can’t physically examine patients over the phone, and many callers end up being sent to the hospital anyway.
The government also points to new investments: 2,500 new nurses are being recruited, and there are nearly 3,000 more health workers in the public system than a year ago.
More hospital beds are on the way, and efforts are being made to address the backlog of patients waiting for aged care or NDIS placements.
The truth is, our health system is facing challenges that go beyond just winter bugs. An ageing population, a shortage of GPs, and a lack of aged care and disability accommodation are all putting pressure on hospitals.
While the government is taking steps to address these issues, it’s clear that more needs to be done to ensure everyone gets the care they need, when they need it.
Have you or a loved one experienced long waits in a NSW emergency department? Do you think the government is doing enough to fix the problem? What alternatives have you tried for non-urgent care? We’d love to hear your stories, tips, and suggestions—share your thoughts in the comments below.
Read more: Hospital trial pushes for better support for senior Aussies. How can you benefit from it?
Doctors are sounding the alarm, saying this winter’s overcrowding is the worst they’ve ever seen.
With winter illnesses like the flu and respiratory infections surging, our hospitals are under more pressure than ever, and it’s leaving many of us wondering: what’s really going on, and what can we do to protect ourselves and our loved ones?
According to NSW Health Minister Ryan Park, more than 45,000 people presented to emergency departments (EDs) in just five days this July.
Monday alone saw almost 10,000 presentations—a whopping 9.2 per cent increase compared to the same time last year.
Severe overcrowding has been reported in NSW hospital emergency departments, with this winter described as the worst for patient numbers and wait times. Credit: Pexels
And it’s not just the sniffles: over 900 people showed up with influenza-like illnesses in a single week.
Doctors on the front lines are feeling the strain. Speaking anonymously, one emergency physician from south-west Sydney described the situation as 'the worst winter by far' and said the level of overcrowding is 'the worst we’ve ever seen.'
The problem, they say, is getting worse every year, with staff being asked to do more with the same resources, all while the population ages and GP appointments become harder to secure.
It’s a perfect storm of factors. While the number of less urgent cases (like minor injuries or mild illnesses) coming to EDs has actually dropped by about 10 per cent—thanks to more alternatives like urgent care clinics and telehealth—those who do come in are sicker and need more care.
Dr Rhys Ross-Browne, NSW chair for the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine, says these very sick patients take up most of the resources and time, but often can’t get a bed elsewhere in the hospital.
Many hospital beds are occupied by patients who no longer need acute hospital care but cannot be discharged.
The main culprits: a shortage of aged care places and NDIS-supported accommodation. This means people who are ready to leave the hospital are stuck, and new patients can’t get in.
The numbers are sobering. In the first quarter of 2025, the median time for a patient to be treated and either admitted or transferred was eight hours.
Minister Park says the government is working to relieve pressure by creating more 'alternative pathways to care' outside hospitals.
He’s encouraging people to call Healthdirect—a 24-hour health advice hotline—for non-life-threatening conditions.
Healthdirect’s chief operations officer, Travis Hodgson, says their nurses can safely de-escalate the need for an ED visit 61 per cent of the time, connecting callers to urgent care clinics, GPs, or virtual care services.
But not everyone is convinced. Some doctors argue that Healthdirect can only do so much, since nurses can’t physically examine patients over the phone, and many callers end up being sent to the hospital anyway.
More hospital beds are on the way, and efforts are being made to address the backlog of patients waiting for aged care or NDIS placements.
The truth is, our health system is facing challenges that go beyond just winter bugs. An ageing population, a shortage of GPs, and a lack of aged care and disability accommodation are all putting pressure on hospitals.
While the government is taking steps to address these issues, it’s clear that more needs to be done to ensure everyone gets the care they need, when they need it.
Read more: Hospital trial pushes for better support for senior Aussies. How can you benefit from it?
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