Sick patients were forced to wait on the floor of Mount Druitt Hospital early Tuesday as the flu season tightens its grip on Sydney, triggering public anger and fresh concerns about the state's health system.
A photograph showing patients waiting on the floor at the hospital sparked outrage online, with similar reports emerging of mothers waiting outside with their babies.
Minister apologises
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park apologised for the incident, saying: "I apologise to that person and their family." The crisis comes just months after the government assured the public the health system was ready for winter.
Local resident Sue Borg expressed her disgust: "That's just ridiculous. These people are sick, you know, they need beds, they need more staff."
Pressure on emergency departments
While some accused people of making unnecessary hospital visits, Premier Chris Minns urged patients with non-life-threatening conditions to see a GP instead. "If it's not life threatening, we genuinely suggest that you do that," he told radio station 2GB.
NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane criticised the government's response: "After four years of labour in this state, the best they can do is tell people don't turn up to the emergency department."
Record demand
Frontline health staff experienced their busiest day on record on Monday, with 10,000 patients arriving at hospital doors across Sydney and more than 4,000 ambulance callouts.
A new health command centre is now coordinating the emergency response in real time, including redirecting ambulances to hospitals with capacity rather than the nearest facility.
Health authorities remind the public it's not too late to get vaccinated, with the flu season expected to worsen before it improves.
