As we get older, we sadly start to become more and more familiar with the medical system, whether it be through our own medical appointments or those of our family members.

It's no secret that the healthcare system in Australia is under a lot of strain. That said, it's still very concerning to learn of any issues within the system. This is especially true in Australia's most populous state: New South Wales, where a frontline healthcare worker recently made a shocking claim.

One hospital worker at Westmead Hospital in Sydney recently gave a concerning insight into what it's like to work at the hospital, and it gave us an alarming reminder of the current state of Australia's public health care system.

Compared to the good old days, when a hospital visit meant a properly attended ward, the informant alleges conditions have gone south for people—patients and workers alike.

Preparing for a shift, they say, is like 'preparing for battle'.

A healthcare worker from Westmead Hospital, Sydney, has revealed that overcrowding is leading to patients dying in the waiting rooms. Credit: Shutterstock.

'I don't want to look another patient's relative in the eye and say they have died in our waiting room,' the healthcare worker said.

'They have died because the emergency department was so overcrowded that patients we have already seen have not moved on, and we can't treat new patients.'

They also said they're forced to provide 'substandard' care in a hospital corridor and that they often feel like they're trying to resuscitate someone in a space that wasn't created for such a task.

On top of that, the worker advised that if people were actually facing a serious medical situation, they would be better off driving to Royal North Shore (which is some distance away), where they could receive better care than at Westmead Emergency.

The whistleblower's comments are a bleak reminder of an alarming situation for the health care system in Australia, one that's only made worse with the population continuing to increase.

As further evidence of Westmead Hospital's growing levels of overcrowding, a snapshot of a weekday in May this year shows 21 patients in the emergency department, and one of them had to wait for nearly two days after waiting 41 hours for a bed in the hospital.

Commenting on the media around the hospital's crowding levels, Health Minister Ryan Park said that the system had to do better and that he'd focus on making sure hospitals were adequately staffed in the months and years ahead.

In light of the whistleblower's comments, Western Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Graham Loy acknowledged that the hospital had experienced some high levels of patient load in the emergency department, stating sorry to 'anyone who may have experienced a long wait time'.

He added that the Local Health District was 'working hard to improve the way we manage patient demand, increase staffing levels and invest in programs to provide alternative pathways for urgent care and ease pressure on our emergency departments'.

Key Takeaways

• A healthcare worker at Westmead Hospital in Sydney has claimed that overcrowding is leading to patients dying in the waiting rooms.
• The unidentified worker suggested that individuals should drive to Royal North Shore Hospital to receive better care.
• A patient reported sleeping on the waiting room floor for hours and subsequently remaining in the emergency department for three days due to a lack of available beds.
• Western Sydney Local Health District CEO, Graham Loy, acknowledged high patient loads and extended wait times, announcing increased staffing and new programs to alleviate the strain on emergency departments.

It's a worrying time for healthcare workers who are seeing first-hand the substandard conditions they're sometimes forced to work in—and here at the SDC, we hope the right action is taken soon.

If you or someone you know is in an urgent medical situation but not in life-threatening circumstances, please call Healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222 for a 24-hour telephone health consultation.

Members, we would greatly appreciate hearing your perspectives on the current situation. Have you observed any signs of overcrowding or encountered similar issues at your local hospital? We encourage you to share your experiences and insights in the comment section below.

 

[kevinwoodtufftyke52@gmail]

As we get older, we sadly start to become more and more familiar with the medical system, whether it be through our own medical appointments or those of our family members.

It's no secret that the healthcare system in Australia is under a lot of strain. That said, it's still very concerning to learn of any issues within the system. This is especially true in Australia's most populous state: New South Wales, where a frontline healthcare worker recently made a shocking claim.

One hospital worker at Westmead Hospital in Sydney recently gave a concerning insight into what it's like to work at the hospital, and it gave us an alarming reminder of the current state of Australia's public health care system.

Compared to the good old days, when a hospital visit meant a properly attended ward, the informant alleges conditions have gone south for people—patients and workers alike.

Preparing for a shift, they say, is like 'preparing for battle'.

View attachment 25032

A healthcare worker from Westmead Hospital, Sydney, has revealed that overcrowding is leading to patients dying in the waiting rooms. Credit: Shutterstock.

'I don't want to look another patient's relative in the eye and say they have died in our waiting room,' the healthcare worker said.

'They have died because the emergency department was so overcrowded that patients we have already seen have not moved on, and we can't treat new patients.'

They also said they're forced to provide 'substandard' care in a hospital corridor and that they often feel like they're trying to resuscitate someone in a space that wasn't created for such a task.

On top of that, the worker advised that if people were actually facing a serious medical situation, they would be better off driving to Royal North Shore (which is some distance away), where they could receive better care than at Westmead Emergency.

The whistleblower's comments are a bleak reminder of an alarming situation for the health care system in Australia, one that's only made worse with the population continuing to increase.

As further evidence of Westmead Hospital's growing levels of overcrowding, a snapshot of a weekday in May this year shows 21 patients in the emergency department, and one of them had to wait for nearly two days after waiting 41 hours for a bed in the hospital.

Commenting on the media around the hospital's crowding levels, Health Minister Ryan Park said that the system had to do better and that he'd focus on making sure hospitals were adequately staffed in the months and years ahead.

In light of the whistleblower's comments, Western Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Graham Loy acknowledged that the hospital had experienced some high levels of patient load in the emergency department, stating sorry to 'anyone who may have experienced a long wait time'.

He added that the Local Health District was 'working hard to improve the way we manage patient demand, increase staffing levels and invest in programs to provide alternative pathways for urgent care and ease pressure on our emergency departments'.

Key Takeaways

• A healthcare worker at Westmead Hospital in Sydney has claimed that overcrowding is leading to patients dying in the waiting rooms.
• The unidentified worker suggested that individuals should drive to Royal North Shore Hospital to receive better care.
• A patient reported sleeping on the waiting room floor for hours and subsequently remaining in the emergency department for three days due to a lack of available beds.
• Western Sydney Local Health District CEO, Graham Loy, acknowledged high patient loads and extended wait times, announcing increased staffing and new programs to alleviate the strain on emergency departments.

It's a worrying time for healthcare workers who are seeing first-hand the substandard conditions they're sometimes forced to work in—and here at the SDC, we hope the right action is taken soon.

If you or someone you know is in an urgent medical situation but not in life-threatening circumstances, please call Healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222 for a 24-hour telephone health consultation.

Members, we would greatly appreciate hearing your perspectives on the current situation. Have you observed any signs of overcrowding or encountered similar issues at your local hospital? We encourage you to share your experiences and insights in the comment section below.

When hospitals are only looking at saving costs and pay exorbitant salaries to management but not focusing on patients and increasing staff, then of course you will have a crisis. The medical system needs more not for profit hospitals.

 

[Lynjw]

As we get older, we sadly start to become more and more familiar with the medical system, whether it be through our own medical appointments or those of our family members.

It's no secret that the healthcare system in Australia is under a lot of strain. That said, it's still very concerning to learn of any issues within the system. This is especially true in Australia's most populous state: New South Wales, where a frontline healthcare worker recently made a shocking claim.

One hospital worker at Westmead Hospital in Sydney recently gave a concerning insight into what it's like to work at the hospital, and it gave us an alarming reminder of the current state of Australia's public health care system.

Compared to the good old days, when a hospital visit meant a properly attended ward, the informant alleges conditions have gone south for people—patients and workers alike.

Preparing for a shift, they say, is like 'preparing for battle'.

View attachment 25032

A healthcare worker from Westmead Hospital, Sydney, has revealed that overcrowding is leading to patients dying in the waiting rooms. Credit: Shutterstock.

'I don't want to look another patient's relative in the eye and say they have died in our waiting room,' the healthcare worker said.

'They have died because the emergency department was so overcrowded that patients we have already seen have not moved on, and we can't treat new patients.'

They also said they're forced to provide 'substandard' care in a hospital corridor and that they often feel like they're trying to resuscitate someone in a space that wasn't created for such a task.

On top of that, the worker advised that if people were actually facing a serious medical situation, they would be better off driving to Royal North Shore (which is some distance away), where they could receive better care than at Westmead Emergency.

The whistleblower's comments are a bleak reminder of an alarming situation for the health care system in Australia, one that's only made worse with the population continuing to increase.

As further evidence of Westmead Hospital's growing levels of overcrowding, a snapshot of a weekday in May this year shows 21 patients in the emergency department, and one of them had to wait for nearly two days after waiting 41 hours for a bed in the hospital.

Commenting on the media around the hospital's crowding levels, Health Minister Ryan Park said that the system had to do better and that he'd focus on making sure hospitals were adequately staffed in the months and years ahead.

In light of the whistleblower's comments, Western Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Graham Loy acknowledged that the hospital had experienced some high levels of patient load in the emergency department, stating sorry to 'anyone who may have experienced a long wait time'.

He added that the Local Health District was 'working hard to improve the way we manage patient demand, increase staffing levels and invest in programs to provide alternative pathways for urgent care and ease pressure on our emergency departments'.

Key Takeaways

• A healthcare worker at Westmead Hospital in Sydney has claimed that overcrowding is leading to patients dying in the waiting rooms.
• The unidentified worker suggested that individuals should drive to Royal North Shore Hospital to receive better care.
• A patient reported sleeping on the waiting room floor for hours and subsequently remaining in the emergency department for three days due to a lack of available beds.
• Western Sydney Local Health District CEO, Graham Loy, acknowledged high patient loads and extended wait times, announcing increased staffing and new programs to alleviate the strain on emergency departments.

It's a worrying time for healthcare workers who are seeing first-hand the substandard conditions they're sometimes forced to work in—and here at the SDC, we hope the right action is taken soon.

If you or someone you know is in an urgent medical situation but not in life-threatening circumstances, please call Healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222 for a 24-hour telephone health consultation.

Members, we would greatly appreciate hearing your perspectives on the current situation. Have you observed any signs of overcrowding or encountered similar issues at your local hospital? We encourage you to share your experiences and insights in the comment section below.

I wouldn’t go back to RNS Hosp. I went ther some years ago with chest discomfort and despite being a category 1 pt I waited over an hr before going in. I heard the head nurse asking where I was and why I hadn’t been seen sooner. Luckily it wasn’t a heart attack but it could have been. Was kept in overnight in emerg which was so noisy it was terrible and then chucked out at 7 am and had to sit and wait for my daughter to collect me an hr later.

 

[Leenie]

In Qld the public hospitals ask if you have private health cover and are quick to get you to sign a form so they can claim on your cover. You get the same treatment as public patients . This is a rip-off of the private health cover. They claimed on my cover for one nights stay.

 

[Suzanne rose]

I have seen this first handed. Over the past few months we have rushed our 18 year old daughter to hospital with severe asthma attacks. She has bad lungs.

All of these times the waiting room was over flowing with really sick people.
This was Canterbury Hospital, not last time but the time before we waited 5 hours before being seen.
The idiot doctor who saw her
1. didn't know her asthma preventives, he looked it up on chemist warehouse website

2. Said her chest xrays were clear , SHE NEVER HAD A CHEST X-RAY.

3. He Sent her home on 6 hourly ventolin and 3 puffs. When she is this bad she never goes home on anything more than 3 hourly and always on 12 puffs of ventolin

4. When we told him she never had an X-RAY and why didn't he know what her medication was he replied ... ITS F...ING 3AM IN THE MORNING WHAT DO YOU WANT.

I know he was on speed

We left and I treated her , I started prednisone ect and contacted our doctor at 9am that morning, she was shocked. She told us to give her no longer than 3 hourly ventolin. It took 4 days before she was on 6 hourly

I reported him to the hospital. A close friend was working in Emergency that night and I was able to get all his details. She told me that even staff were complaining about him.

Our lives are not something to muck around with

 

[Sass]

As we get older, we sadly start to become more and more familiar with the medical system, whether it be through our own medical appointments or those of our family members.

It's no secret that the healthcare system in Australia is under a lot of strain. That said, it's still very concerning to learn of any issues within the system. This is especially true in Australia's most populous state: New South Wales, where a frontline healthcare worker recently made a shocking claim.

One hospital worker at Westmead Hospital in Sydney recently gave a concerning insight into what it's like to work at the hospital, and it gave us an alarming reminder of the current state of Australia's public health care system.

Compared to the good old days, when a hospital visit meant a properly attended ward, the informant alleges conditions have gone south for people—patients and workers alike.

Preparing for a shift, they say, is like 'preparing for battle'.

View attachment 25032

A healthcare worker from Westmead Hospital, Sydney, has revealed that overcrowding is leading to patients dying in the waiting rooms. Credit: Shutterstock.

'I don't want to look another patient's relative in the eye and say they have died in our waiting room,' the healthcare worker said.

'They have died because the emergency department was so overcrowded that patients we have already seen have not moved on, and we can't treat new patients.'

They also said they're forced to provide 'substandard' care in a hospital corridor and that they often feel like they're trying to resuscitate someone in a space that wasn't created for such a task.

On top of that, the worker advised that if people were actually facing a serious medical situation, they would be better off driving to Royal North Shore (which is some distance away), where they could receive better care than at Westmead Emergency.

The whistleblower's comments are a bleak reminder of an alarming situation for the health care system in Australia, one that's only made worse with the population continuing to increase.

As further evidence of Westmead Hospital's growing levels of overcrowding, a snapshot of a weekday in May this year shows 21 patients in the emergency department, and one of them had to wait for nearly two days after waiting 41 hours for a bed in the hospital.

Commenting on the media around the hospital's crowding levels, Health Minister Ryan Park said that the system had to do better and that he'd focus on making sure hospitals were adequately staffed in the months and years ahead.

In light of the whistleblower's comments, Western Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Graham Loy acknowledged that the hospital had experienced some high levels of patient load in the emergency department, stating sorry to 'anyone who may have experienced a long wait time'.

He added that the Local Health District was 'working hard to improve the way we manage patient demand, increase staffing levels and invest in programs to provide alternative pathways for urgent care and ease pressure on our emergency departments'.

Key Takeaways

• A healthcare worker at Westmead Hospital in Sydney has claimed that overcrowding is leading to patients dying in the waiting rooms.
• The unidentified worker suggested that individuals should drive to Royal North Shore Hospital to receive better care.
• A patient reported sleeping on the waiting room floor for hours and subsequently remaining in the emergency department for three days due to a lack of available beds.
• Western Sydney Local Health District CEO, Graham Loy, acknowledged high patient loads and extended wait times, announcing increased staffing and new programs to alleviate the strain on emergency departments.

It's a worrying time for healthcare workers who are seeing first-hand the substandard conditions they're sometimes forced to work in—and here at the SDC, we hope the right action is taken soon.

If you or someone you know is in an urgent medical situation but not in life-threatening circumstances, please call Healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222 for a 24-hour telephone health consultation.

Members, we would greatly appreciate hearing your perspectives on the current situation. Have you observed any signs of overcrowding or encountered similar issues at your local hospital? We encourage you to share your experiences and insights in the comment section below.

 

[Robbo3006]

As we get older, we sadly start to become more and more familiar with the medical system, whether it be through our own medical appointments or those of our family members.

It's no secret that the healthcare system in Australia is under a lot of strain. That said, it's still very concerning to learn of any issues within the system. This is especially true in Australia's most populous state: New South Wales, where a frontline healthcare worker recently made a shocking claim.

One hospital worker at Westmead Hospital in Sydney recently gave a concerning insight into what it's like to work at the hospital, and it gave us an alarming reminder of the current state of Australia's public health care system.

Compared to the good old days, when a hospital visit meant a properly attended ward, the informant alleges conditions have gone south for people—patients and workers alike.

Preparing for a shift, they say, is like 'preparing for battle'.

View attachment 25032

A healthcare worker from Westmead Hospital, Sydney, has revealed that overcrowding is leading to patients dying in the waiting rooms. Credit: Shutterstock.

'I don't want to look another patient's relative in the eye and say they have died in our waiting room,' the healthcare worker said.

'They have died because the emergency department was so overcrowded that patients we have already seen have not moved on, and we can't treat new patients.'

They also said they're forced to provide 'substandard' care in a hospital corridor and that they often feel like they're trying to resuscitate someone in a space that wasn't created for such a task.

On top of that, the worker advised that if people were actually facing a serious medical situation, they would be better off driving to Royal North Shore (which is some distance away), where they could receive better care than at Westmead Emergency.

The whistleblower's comments are a bleak reminder of an alarming situation for the health care system in Australia, one that's only made worse with the population continuing to increase.

As further evidence of Westmead Hospital's growing levels of overcrowding, a snapshot of a weekday in May this year shows 21 patients in the emergency department, and one of them had to wait for nearly two days after waiting 41 hours for a bed in the hospital.

Commenting on the media around the hospital's crowding levels, Health Minister Ryan Park said that the system had to do better and that he'd focus on making sure hospitals were adequately staffed in the months and years ahead.

In light of the whistleblower's comments, Western Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Graham Loy acknowledged that the hospital had experienced some high levels of patient load in the emergency department, stating sorry to 'anyone who may have experienced a long wait time'.

He added that the Local Health District was 'working hard to improve the way we manage patient demand, increase staffing levels and invest in programs to provide alternative pathways for urgent care and ease pressure on our emergency departments'.

Key Takeaways

• A healthcare worker at Westmead Hospital in Sydney has claimed that overcrowding is leading to patients dying in the waiting rooms.
• The unidentified worker suggested that individuals should drive to Royal North Shore Hospital to receive better care.
• A patient reported sleeping on the waiting room floor for hours and subsequently remaining in the emergency department for three days due to a lack of available beds.
• Western Sydney Local Health District CEO, Graham Loy, acknowledged high patient loads and extended wait times, announcing increased staffing and new programs to alleviate the strain on emergency departments.

It's a worrying time for healthcare workers who are seeing first-hand the substandard conditions they're sometimes forced to work in—and here at the SDC, we hope the right action is taken soon.

If you or someone you know is in an urgent medical situation but not in life-threatening circumstances, please call Healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222 for a 24-hour telephone health consultation.

Members, we would greatly appreciate hearing your perspectives on the current situation. Have you observed any signs of overcrowding or encountered similar issues at your local hospital? We encourage you to share your experiences and insights in the comment section below.

And Westmead is still better than Nepean Hospital, the mis diagnosis kings of the hospital world. Even Paramedics and Ambo drivers try to avoid taking You there, in their own words, I wouldn't take a pet to Nepean Hospital. 4 days misdiagnosed then rushed to emergency surgery after I complained LOUDLY and was threatened with security. They don't know the difference between diverticulitis and prostatitis. Lucky Dr. Barto was available or I'd be dead.

 

[Sass]

It’s all very well our Health Minister promising to look into this matter & improve the situation but all Health Ministers have said this & nothing has changed. They should try going to these hospitals as a patient, not their usual call in visits & see what it’s really like. Until they start paying the staff what they’re really worth they will never improve this situation because they’re all leaving to go to better paid jobs. Stop sending money overseas & building/renovating stadiums etc., that don’t need it & put Australian people & their health first. None of those in government have the right to call themselves Australian because Australians put Australians first. They’re a disgrace & embarrassment & because of their inaction Australians are dying!

 

[Phantom55]

I was (accidentally)informed that my file was marked "do not revive"and when I reacted to this I was told 'Ishould'nt have told you that"..I'll fix that up...when I pursued the matter with the desk I was advised that the records are confidential..but it will be corrected.Iaccept I am terminal but I don't wish to hurry it up...

 

[Carolyn T]

I think you will find that all hospitals in all states are experiencing the same problems. I recently went to hospital by ambulance in Perth WA and experienced 'ramping' in the emergency department. There were at least 8 of us lining the corridor with the ambulance attendants not allowed to leave us until we were triaged and finally attended to.
Then back to a corridor or spare corner until a bed was found and that was for private. In all I spent 8 hours in transit to a hospital bed and no real treatment for 24 hours.
My observations are not enough doctors, nurses or paramedics and lack of beds.
Our medical systems need a major overhaul and the government needs to stop selling out to the private sector who are only there to make money

 

[LeahI]

If government can't pay for this essential service and it needs to be propped up by private healthcare then make it more affordable. It's ridiculous that so many are leaving private health finds due to the cost but if it was less expensive then more people could afford it, helping to prop up this absolutely essential service.

 

[Squizzy1]

As we get older, we sadly start to become more and more familiar with the medical system, whether it be through our own medical appointments or those of our family members.

It's no secret that the healthcare system in Australia is under a lot of strain. That said, it's still very concerning to learn of any issues within the system. This is especially true in Australia's most populous state: New South Wales, where a frontline healthcare worker recently made a shocking claim.

One hospital worker at Westmead Hospital in Sydney recently gave a concerning insight into what it's like to work at the hospital, and it gave us an alarming reminder of the current state of Australia's public health care system.

Compared to the good old days, when a hospital visit meant a properly attended ward, the informant alleges conditions have gone south for people—patients and workers alike.

Preparing for a shift, they say, is like 'preparing for battle'.

View attachment 25032

A healthcare worker from Westmead Hospital, Sydney, has revealed that overcrowding is leading to patients dying in the waiting rooms. Credit: Shutterstock.

'I don't want to look another patient's relative in the eye and say they have died in our waiting room,' the healthcare worker said.

'They have died because the emergency department was so overcrowded that patients we have already seen have not moved on, and we can't treat new patients.'

They also said they're forced to provide 'substandard' care in a hospital corridor and that they often feel like they're trying to resuscitate someone in a space that wasn't created for such a task.

On top of that, the worker advised that if people were actually facing a serious medical situation, they would be better off driving to Royal North Shore (which is some distance away), where they could receive better care than at Westmead Emergency.

The whistleblower's comments are a bleak reminder of an alarming situation for the health care system in Australia, one that's only made worse with the population continuing to increase.

As further evidence of Westmead Hospital's growing levels of overcrowding, a snapshot of a weekday in May this year shows 21 patients in the emergency department, and one of them had to wait for nearly two days after waiting 41 hours for a bed in the hospital.

Commenting on the media around the hospital's crowding levels, Health Minister Ryan Park said that the system had to do better and that he'd focus on making sure hospitals were adequately staffed in the months and years ahead.

In light of the whistleblower's comments, Western Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive Graham Loy acknowledged that the hospital had experienced some high levels of patient load in the emergency department, stating sorry to 'anyone who may have experienced a long wait time'.

He added that the Local Health District was 'working hard to improve the way we manage patient demand, increase staffing levels and invest in programs to provide alternative pathways for urgent care and ease pressure on our emergency departments'.

Key Takeaways

• A healthcare worker at Westmead Hospital in Sydney has claimed that overcrowding is leading to patients dying in the waiting rooms.
• The unidentified worker suggested that individuals should drive to Royal North Shore Hospital to receive better care.
• A patient reported sleeping on the waiting room floor for hours and subsequently remaining in the emergency department for three days due to a lack of available beds.
• Western Sydney Local Health District CEO, Graham Loy, acknowledged high patient loads and extended wait times, announcing increased staffing and new programs to alleviate the strain on emergency departments.

It's a worrying time for healthcare workers who are seeing first-hand the substandard conditions they're sometimes forced to work in—and here at the SDC, we hope the right action is taken soon.

If you or someone you know is in an urgent medical situation but not in life-threatening circumstances, please call Healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222 for a 24-hour telephone health consultation.

Members, we would greatly appreciate hearing your perspectives on the current situation. Have you observed any signs of overcrowding or encountered similar issues at your local hospital? We encourage you to share your experiences and insights in the comment section below.

I'm not sure when those good old days you speak of existed, but it must be quite a few decades ago, prior to Medicare in the 80s it was Medibank in the 70s, there never was a free system for health care. People died at home or only went to hospital hours beforehand, noone could afford it. We all know of the % of aged in society today and the improvements, and extension in services available now, coupled with the lack of GPs and cost to see one, so many people's attitudes have changed in regard to Emergency Depts being filled with people who would not need to be there. The free health system has imo always been fraught with issues, and with the Pandemic and cost of living challenges currently, unfortunately, nothing will likely change anytime soon. Get private health if you can afford it, it's your only salvation.

 

[Suzanne rose]

I was (accidentally)informed that my file was marked "do not revive"and when I reacted to this I was told 'Ishould'nt have told you that"..I'll fix that up...when I pursued the matter with the desk I was advised that the records are confidential..but it will be corrected.Iaccept I am terminal but I don't wish to hurry it up...

It's not confidential to you. We are entitled to view our medical records . I would be demanding to see that it was changed.

I'm allergic to a part of anaesthetic, the muscle relaxant , when I went in for surgery a nurse who was a close friend of my daughters who is also a nurse , called my daughter to say it was her that admitted me, my daughter asked her if she put a red name tag on me, turned out she didn't and my allergies were not in my file .
My surgery for that day was cancelled , they said it was because of a fever which I knew I didn't have but because of the anaesthetic thing.
This was in a private hospital and turns out my daughters friend who was my anaesthetist did my surgery after looking into what he could use.

 

[Rob44]

So what is the wretched NSW State Government, as all State governments, doing about our public hospitals? Not funding them properly and employing CEOs and Boards of Directors etc who have no background of public service or medicine.

When medical staff, mainly junior doctors between 1 week and 3 years out of medical school, are expected to work 12.5-shifts (as are many seniors) for as many as 7 days a week, and can be expected to be called back from their rostered rest-leave next week, then what can we expect? Very tired, worn-out doctors whose judgements will be impaired by fatigue and who will forget important details and may well be rude. It is illegal for truck drivers to be forced to work such hours for very good reason; a tired truck driver will eventually make a mistake and kill someone by accident. It is not the employer who goes to jail for manslaughter.

The same applies to nursing staff and ambulance staff. All see the pain and unhappiness of those who are in their care and that pain and suffering remains in their heads even when the patient has recovered or died. And that leaves them with the question; could that patient have been kept alive if I had done something different? That alone is stress; add that type of stress to overwork in a place where stress is inevitable, given the hours these days that have to be worked to keep OUR public hospitals working, WE , the taxpayers are to blame as WE only vote for cheese-paring governments who promise to cut taxes each election whilst ignoring important social needs.

Public medicine can work very well. There are three generations in my family who have worked in 3 different health systems in 3 countries including the once properly funded and very effective and efficient National Health Service in the UK.

 

[JKM_Storyteller]

There will never ever be enough public money to fund our health system. And even those who have private health insurance, still clog up our free heath system to avoid gap fees, or maybe because their highly paid specialists are unavailable after 5pm weekdays, and not at all on weekends. Then there are all the people who front up at emergency departments for minor afflictions, and then complain long and loud about wait times when the medical staff are actually attending those who really do need the attention and who are arriving out of sight via the ambulance entry.
The system is under stress, but everyday Aussies are compounding that stress by using emergency departments as either an alternative to a GP visit, or just sheer self-indulgence - i.e, they don't feel well and they want someone to make them better when all they're suffering from is some minor, everyday, and passing symptoms that can be treated with panadol, lots of water, and some rest.
If the self-indulgent, the rich folks, and the feeling poorly everyday folks, all stayed out of our emergency departments and treated it like it really is the place for those who are acutely and critically ill or injured, the workload on staff and the wait time for those who really do need medical attention would be drastically reduced.
But it seems to me that for people today, everything is about 'me, me, me' and those folk want it all NOW, and no one else should be allowed to deprive them of that.
Yes, there a dodgy doctors, and dodgy nurses, and even dodgier hospital administrators, but there are also dodgy husbands, dodgy wives, dodgy kids, dodgy checkout staff; dodgy cab drivers, dodgy truck drivers, dodgy teachers, etc. Wherever there are people, there will always be imperfections; mistakes; bad decisions; and flawed systems.
That is life.
And really, where is the benefit in all this angst? It is so depressing just reading it, so I cannot imagine why anyone would actually want to willingly live with it.

 

[JKM_Storyteller]

So what is the wretched NSW State Government, as all State governments, doing about our public hospitals? Not funding them properly and employing CEOs and Boards of Directors etc who have no background of public service or medicine.

When medical staff, mainly junior doctors between 1 week and 3 years out of medical school, are expected to work 12.5-shifts (as are many seniors) for as many as 7 days a week, and can be expected to be called back from their rostered rest-leave next week, then what can we expect? Very tired, worn-out doctors whose judgements will be impaired by fatigue and who will forget important details and may well be rude. It is illegal for truck drivers to be forced to work such hours for very good reason; a tired truck driver will eventually make a mistake and kill someone by accident. It is not the employer who goes to jail for manslaughter.

The same applies to nursing staff and ambulance staff. All see the pain and unhappiness of those who are in their care and that pain and suffering remains in their heads even when the patient has recovered or died. And that leaves them with the question; could that patient have been kept alive if I had done something different? That alone is stress; add that type of stress to overwork in a place where stress is inevitable, given the hours these days that have to be worked to keep OUR public hospitals working, WE , the taxpayers are to blame as WE only vote for cheese-paring governments who promise to cut taxes each election whilst ignoring important social needs.

Public medicine can work very well. There are three generations in my family who have worked in 3 different health systems in 3 countries including the once properly funded and very effective and efficient National Health Service in the UK.

The NHS today is not very effective and efficient, and really cannot be held up as some ideal that Australia should aspire to. Australia's health system used to enjoy a good reputation when I began nursing in the 60s. When I moved to England in the early 70s, the NHS also had a good reputation. But it is a very different story today. Doctors are striking, waiting lists are blowing out, unwarranted patient deaths, etc. Here's a link to the BBC news with stories on the NHS's troubles these days: https://www.bbc.com/news/topics/cp7r8vglnnwt

 

[Suzanne rose]

So what is the wretched NSW State Government, as all State governments, doing about our public hospitals? Not funding them properly and employing CEOs and Boards of Directors etc who have no background of public service or medicine.

When medical staff, mainly junior doctors between 1 week and 3 years out of medical school, are expected to work 12.5-shifts (as are many seniors) for as many as 7 days a week, and can be expected to be called back from their rostered rest-leave next week, then what can we expect? Very tired, worn-out doctors whose judgements will be impaired by fatigue and who will forget important details and may well be rude. It is illegal for truck drivers to be forced to work such hours for very good reason; a tired truck driver will eventually make a mistake and kill someone by accident. It is not the employer who goes to jail for manslaughter.

The same applies to nursing staff and ambulance staff. All see the pain and unhappiness of those who are in their care and that pain and suffering remains in their heads even when the patient has recovered or died. And that leaves them with the question; could that patient have been kept alive if I had done something different? That alone is stress; add that type of stress to overwork in a place where stress is inevitable, given the hours these days that have to be worked to keep OUR public hospitals working, WE , the taxpayers are to blame as WE only vote for cheese-paring governments who promise to cut taxes each election whilst ignoring important social needs.

Public medicine can work very well. There are three generations in my family who have worked in 3 different health systems in 3 countries including the once properly funded and very effective and efficient National Health Service in the UK.

The whole medical system needs a complete over haul.
Sorry but we as people trust that a doctor who is looking after us know what they are doing , including prescribing the correct medication and looking at the correct patients files.

My daughter is a surgical nurse and some days need to work 12 hours and when she goes home is on call and may get called in at 2 am for an emergency C Section .
She is a qualified anaesthetic nurse and unfortunately there are only a few at her hospital that are . BUT WHEN SHE IS FEELING OVER TIRED AND FEEL HER MIND IS NOT THERE SHE WILL SAY NO TO WORKING MORE HOURS it is rare she says no, but she will never compromise the patients .

Was my surgeon competent when he used 3 year old recalled mesh...was he competent when he the stitched the mesh to my small and low bowel loops. Was he competent when he did an umbilical hernia repair the same time as removing my gallbladder. Was he competent when he didn't explain to me the hernia removal operation or to be bothered getting my permission. Was he competent when it took him 8 months to see I had a chronic infection from his surgery.

SORRY I AM SEEING MORE AND MORE REASONS OF NOT TRUSTING DOCTORS

IF THEY CANT DO THE JOB THEN DONT DO IT ...SIMPLE

 

[Rob44]

There will never ever be enough public money to fund our health system. And even those who have private health insurance, still clog up our free heath system to avoid gap fees, or maybe because their highly paid specialists are unavailable after 5pm weekdays, and not at all on weekends. Then there are all the people who front up at emergency departments for minor afflictions, and then complain long and loud about wait times when the medical staff are actually attending those who really do need the attention and who are arriving out of sight via the ambulance entry.
The system is under stress, but everyday Aussies are compounding that stress by using emergency departments as either an alternative to a GP visit, or just sheer self-indulgence - i.e, they don't feel well and they want someone to make them better when all they're suffering from is some minor, everyday, and passing symptoms that can be treated with panadol, lots of water, and some rest.
If the self-indulgent rich folks, and the feeling poorly everyday folks, all stayed out of our emergency departments and treated it like it really is the place for those who are acutely and critically ill or injured, the workload on staff and the wait time for those who really do need medical attention would be drastically reduced.
But it seems to me that for people today, everything is about 'me, me, me' and those folk want it all NOW, and no one else should be allowed to deprive them of that.
Yes, there a dodgy doctors, and dodgy nurses, and even dodgier hospital administrators, but there are also dodgy husbands, dodgy wives, dodgy kids, dodgy checkout staff; dodgy cab drivers, dodgy truck drivers, dodgy teachers, etc. Wherever there are people, there will always be imperfections; mistakes; bad decisions; and flawed systems.
That is life.
And really, where is the benefit in all this angst? It is so depressing just reading it, so I cannot imagine why anyone would actually want to willingly live with it.

We are compounding the problem by demanding reduced rates of paying income tax. 33cent in the dollar top-rate? Even Thatcher in her early days as one of the worst PMs in the UK, reduced the top rate of income tax payment to 60% top-rate. That would make any Australian scream these days.

I pay about $4000 a year for private health insurance; if that money, together with all that money the rest of us pay for private health insurance, went to publicly funded medicine our Australian community (if it is a community) would fare better when it comes to medical care.

 

[IAN3005]

And Westmead is still better than Nepean Hospital, the mis diagnosis kings of the hospital world. Even Paramedics and Ambo drivers try to avoid taking You there, in their own words, I wouldn't take a pet to Nepean Hospital. 4 days misdiagnosed then rushed to emergency surgery after I complained LOUDLY and was threatened with security. They don't know the difference between diverticulitis and prostatitis. Lucky Dr. Barto was available or I'd be dead.

So..... the service hasn't improved since Mr mother was there with a massive stroke. She was in a corridor for hours (the critical time for a stroke being treated is 3 hours. She had the stoke who knows when until we found her and then we had to wait an hour for the retirement village manager who had finished his lunch break).

 

[Penny4]

There will never ever be enough public money to fund our health system. And even those who have private health insurance, still clog up our free heath system to avoid gap fees, or maybe because their highly paid specialists are unavailable after 5pm weekdays, and not at all on weekends. Then there are all the people who front up at emergency departments for minor afflictions, and then complain long and loud about wait times when the medical staff are actually attending those who really do need the attention and who are arriving out of sight via the ambulance entry.
The system is under stress, but everyday Aussies are compounding that stress by using emergency departments as either an alternative to a GP visit, or just sheer self-indulgence - i.e, they don't feel well and they want someone to make them better when all they're suffering from is some minor, everyday, and passing symptoms that can be treated with panadol, lots of water, and some rest.
If the self-indulgent rich folks, and the feeling poorly everyday folks, all stayed out of our emergency departments and treated it like it really is the place for those who are acutely and critically ill or injured, the workload on staff and the wait time for those who really do need medical attention would be drastically reduced.
But it seems to me that for people today, everything is about 'me, me, me' and those folk want it all NOW, and no one else should be allowed to deprive them of that.
Yes, there a dodgy doctors, and dodgy nurses, and even dodgier hospital administrators, but there are also dodgy husbands, dodgy wives, dodgy kids, dodgy checkout staff; dodgy cab drivers, dodgy truck drivers, dodgy teachers, etc. Wherever there are people, there will always be imperfections; mistakes; bad decisions; and flawed systems.
That is life.
And really, where is the benefit in all this angst? It is so depressing just reading it, so I cannot imagine why anyone would actually want to willingly live with it.

Ambulances/Paramedics know which Hospital emergency departments are free and quicker for patients. That can be a reason for private health patients in public hospitals. Private health insurance is only for the 'self-indulgent rich folks'? I've known well-off couples who refuse to pay for health insurance, plus I know of Pensioners who pay the minimum to have hospital health insurance. Not sure about your reasoning that private health patients clogging the public system. If people have private health and stay in public hospitals they pay for that privilege, as the public hospital takes out the $ from their health fund. Sure, there are some people with private health that choose the public system, but this is usually because they can't afford greedy surgeons.