NSW Hospitals Face Greater Strain Than During COVID Pandemic, Data Shows

New South Wales (NSW) hospitals are facing increasing pressure, surpassing the strains observed during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to recent data. The Bureau of Health Information (BHI) released findings in the latest Healthcare Quarterly, covering the period from October to December 2025. The data reveals a significant rise in demand for both emergency and ambulance services, indicating a health system under extreme stress.

Record Demand for Ambulance and Hospital Services

During the three-month period, NSW recorded over 408,518 ambulance calls, alongside 300,367 incidents. These figures represent the highest numbers since the BHI began tracking in 2010. Hospital emergency departments experienced a staggering total of 820,009 attendances, also reaching a record high.

Expert Opinions on the Crisis

Dr. Kathryn Austin, President of the Australian Medical Association (NSW), described the BHI figures as alarming yet unsurprising. She emphasized that the healthcare system is in crisis, with doctors and nurses in emergency departments continually signaling the urgent need for government intervention. “The hospital system is straining under the weight of incredible challenges,” Dr. Austin stated.

Increasing Numbers of Stranded Patients

Adding to the crisis, a separate report highlighted a 50% surge in stranded patients in NSW public hospitals as of December 31, 2025. Stranded patients are those who are medically ready for discharge but cannot leave due to a lack of suitable post-hospital care options. This situation contributes to “bed block,” severely affecting hospital capacity.

• Increase in Stranded Patients: 50% rise in the number of stranded patients compared to the previous year.
• Impact on Hospitals: Equivalent to Westmead and Mount Druitt hospitals being out of use daily.

Government Response

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park acknowledged the system’s strain and pointed to “bed block” as a significant contributing factor. He stated the state’s hospitals were facing a situation where many patients were unable to find appropriate aged care or National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) support.

Furthermore, the number of patients awaiting federally funded aged care placements has increased from 438 to 776 over the last year. As emergency presentations rise, the majority of cases fall under triage category three, requiring treatment within 30 minutes.

Complex Patient Needs

With an aging population, the complexity of patient needs has also escalated. Dr. Austin noted that patients are increasingly presenting later, leading to more severe conditions requiring urgent care. The rising cost of living and other societal challenges further compel individuals to seek hospital services.

Stabilizing Ambulance Responses

Despite the rising demand for ambulance services, BHI’s Senior Director, Hilary Rowell, indicated that the rate of ambulance responses has remained stable. The increase in demand reflects a long-term trend, with record high calls and incidents being dispatched across NSW.

Efforts to Relieve Pressure

According to Minister Park, the state government is actively attempting to tackle these pressing challenges. However, alleviating the pressure on the healthcare system will not be an immediate solution. Efforts are being made to discourage unnecessary visits to emergency services through health direct and virtual care options.

Improvements in Elective Surgeries

The BHI report also outlines some positive developments, including an increase in elective surgeries, with a total of 58,922 procedures performed. Additionally, there has been a slight reduction in the number of patients on waiting lists, suggesting some improvement within the system.

In summary, NSW hospitals are currently enduring significant strain that exceeds the challenges faced during the COVID pandemic. With record demand for services and an increasing number of complex patient cases, stakeholders continue to call for urgent intervention to address the ongoing crisis in the healthcare system.