At Wollongong Hospital wait times are down – but so is patient satisfaction, according to the latest Bureau of Health Information report. Photo: ISLHD.
You’re more likely to be treated on time in Wollongong’s emergency department, but less likely to be happy about your care, according to the latest statistics from the Bureau of Health Information.
Almost 70 per cent of emergency patients at Wollongong Hospital started treatment on time, compared to a state average of 63.5 per cent, an improvement of 7.4 percentage points compared to the same quarter in 2023.
The hospital also recorded a 10 percentage point improvement in patients transferred from ambulance to ED staff within 30 minutes, up to 70.4 per cent, but still lags behind the state average of 73.7 per cent.
However, patients were less likely to rate ED care and staff as very good compared to this quarter in 2023, and significantly less likely to rate them as very good in comparison to the state averages.
Admitted patients, however, were far more likely to rate their care and staff highly, and these ratings increased significantly compared to this quarter in 2023 – although they still lag behind the state average.
Health Minister Ryan Park has blamed increased presentations to hospitals statewide on the ongoing GP shortage. However, in Wollongong the number of presentations appear to have remained stable.
Although presentations were up across the district overall, in Wollongong there was a one per cent decrease in emergency department presentations.
Mr Park’s office acknowledged that presentations had remained stable, but said “it doesn’t mean that demand is not high and the system under significant pressure”.
Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) executive director of clinical operations Margaret Martin praised the work of hospital staff, and in particular the high number of surgeries performed.
ISLHD performed 3941 surgeries from April to June 2024, 580 more than the same quarter in 2023.
Wollongong saw an 18.9 percentage point improvement in elective surgeries performed on time, for a total of 88.6 per cent – just above the state average of 87.1 per cent.
“The district continued to make significant progress in reducing the number of people on the planned surgery wait list whose surgeries were overdue,” Ms Mains said.
“At the end of June 2024, there were 234 people waiting longer than clinically recommended for a planned surgery, compared to 403 patients waiting at the end of June 2023.
“These outstanding results are testament to the ongoing hard work and commitment of our staff.”
The district has increased available theatre time for surgery, increased day-only surgeries and partnered with private hospitals in a bid to bring the wait lists down.
Ms Martin urged the community to save emergency departments and ambulances for life-threatening illness and injuries.
“If an illness or injury is not serious or life-threatening, we encourage people to call Healthdirect Australia on 1800 022 222, for a 24-hour telephone health advice,” she said.
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