RECORD numbers of people are flooding into emergency departments across the Central West, with the number of patients visiting Orange hospital having increased by three percent according to the latest NSW hospital data.
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All but one of the region's EDs recorded a significant increase influx in the number of people presenting for treatment.
There was a three per cent jump in presentations to Orange's ED department, with the numbers increasing from 7568 to 7818 compared to the same period in 2017, the Bureau of Health Information quarterly report shows.
Dubbo recorded just a two per cent increase (8591 patients to 8755), while there was no increase in Bathurst with 6786 patients seen in the ED during the most recent reporting period.
EDs in Lithgow and Forbes hospitals recorded the biggest spike in patient numbers to the ED, with each department recording a 12 per cent increase.
The region's largest hospitals - Bathurst, Dubbo and Orange - saw a significant increase in presentations during the October to December quarter.
Western NSW Local Health District chief executive Scott McLachlan said the region's public hospitals continued to improve in several key areas, including in the ED.
"There were 48,268 presentations to WNSWLHD emergency departments," Mr McLachlan said.
"This was an increase of 1.3 per cent, from 47,657."
Nadine Morton
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Nadine Morton covers emergency services and breaking news for the Illawarra Mercury. She takes pride in regional journalism which she believes is crucial to informing our towns and cities. Have a story? Email her at nadine.morton@austcommunitymedia.com.au
