Yet the truth is that the building upgrades have failed to deliver efficient health care services to the residents of Blacktown – especially in emergency response," said State Member for Blacktown, Stephen Bali.
“Over the past 12 years of the Liberal Government, Blacktown hospital standards have fallen from 9 out of 10 patients being seen on time to 9 out of 10 patients NOT being seen on time,” Mr Bali said.
Stage One of the Blacktown Hospital upgrade was completed in April 2016 and consisted of a new seven-storey clinical building. Stage Two was completed in April 2021 with new emergency, maternity and multi-storey car park.
Blacktown Hospital won 13 local and international awards - including 12th World Congress Academy Awards for best international hospital project (under 40,000 m2).
That success heralded a revolution in healthcare design that transformed a mid-sized local facility into a major hospital for Western Sydney - and a showcase for Australian healthcare innovation.
Minister Brad Hazzard said in 2017: “Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals will have the best of the best. The best technology and the best clinical services in the best setting, giving patients the best chance to get back on their feet.”
Blacktown Hospital has not delivered the best of the best results. Between 2020-22 six babies unexpectedly died, midwives protested, and 20 obstetricians threatened to resign over understaffing issues and resourcing concerns. Emergency department failed to see urgent patients during that time.
Brett Holmes, who was Secretary of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association said in 2022: “They [staff] were trying to run a service 28 midwives short of what was needed to do as a minimum.”
Comparing Blacktown and Hornsby hospitals (which are of similar size) the initiation of treatment for T2 emergency patients that ought to start within 10 minutes of arrival has seen a massive difference over the last 12 years.
Records that started in 2012 show Blacktown and Hornsby patients had similar treatment initiation times of 93% (Blacktown) and 98% (Hornsby).
Yet, over the last 12 years Blacktown hospital standards have fallen from 9 out of 10 patients being seen on time to 9 out of 10 patients NOT being seen on time.
Mr Bali said: “This is a complete failure of the Government to undertake a proper workforce planning and recruitment across Western Sydney leading to chronic staff shortages resulting in endangering patients’ lives.
“It is nice to have a shiny award-winning new building but is useless if you have life-threatening health episode and being left sitting on the floor in an overcrowded emergency room waiting for your turn for medical staff to see you.
“This Government is interested in building show pieces across Western Sydney that don’t deliver real health outcomes for our families.
“Hornsby hospital is already outperforming Blacktown by four times and yet is receives funding for a super-sized emergency department and at the same time Blacktown patients are left waiting on the floor for treatment in overcrowded waiting rooms.
“It’s time to change the Government. Labor will the deliver services to match our population growth and need and ensure our residents get the health care they deserve."
