Mick Nairn faced an agonizing wait of nearly two days for surgery at Wollongong Hospital, during which time his appendix ruptured. Nairn had arrived at the emergency department on August 27, 2023, suffering from severe abdominal pain suspected to be appendicitis. By the time he finally went into surgery, the situation had escalated into a potentially life-threatening condition.
The lengthy wait for Mr. Nairn is indicative of a broader issue facing Wollongong Hospital, which is grappling with an increased influx of patients, particularly during the winter months. The Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) reported that on the same day Nairn sought treatment, there were **101 patients** in the district’s hospitals who had surpassed their discharge dates while awaiting placement in residential aged care facilities. This scenario contributes to bed block, which occurs when hospitals lack available beds for new patients—a persistent challenge for Wollongong Hospital.
Demand for emergency services surged around the time of Nairn’s visit. On August 26, the day prior, emergency presentations were **13 percent** higher than the hospital’s daily average. Ryan Park, the Health Minister and Member of Parliament for Keira, addressed the crisis, stating that thousands of individuals in New South Wales (NSW) are waiting “almost indefinitely” in hospitals. He highlighted a significant rise in individuals awaiting Commonwealth aged care or National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) placements, emphasizing that the current hospital system was not designed to accommodate this influx.
Nairn’s ordeal began when his general practitioner referred him to the emergency department due to his worsening symptoms. Upon arrival, he encountered a crowded waiting room but was promptly assessed by a triage nurse. Unfortunately, he remained in the emergency department for approximately **34 hours**, enduring excruciating pain without access to a bed. “I couldn’t stand up straight…30-odd hours in the waiting room just killed me,” he recounted.
Initially informed that he would undergo surgery early on Thursday morning, Nairn’s procedure was postponed multiple times. He eventually moved to a recovery ward around **1 a.m.** on Friday, but it was not until after noon that he finally entered the operating room. The surgeon later revealed that his appendix had ruptured during the extended wait. Although this condition can be life-threatening, Nairn was fortunate that the damage was contained.
Despite his harrowing experience, Nairn expressed no criticism towards the hospital staff, commending their efforts amid overwhelming demand. “Everyone there was lovely; they did their best, but it was absolute carnage,” he noted. His wife, Christine Donayre, who had accompanied him, described the emergency department as more chaotic than any previous visits. In her search for quicker alternatives, she even contacted other hospitals in the region.
In response to the growing pressures on Wollongong Hospital, an ISLHD spokesperson assured that the facility is dedicated to providing timely care to emergency department patients. “All patients are seen and triaged on arrival, with the most seriously unwell treated first,” the spokesperson stated. They acknowledged that during peak demand periods, patients with less urgent conditions may experience longer wait times.
The health district is actively working to mitigate prolonged hospital stays for individuals awaiting residential aged care. Collaboration with NSW Health, the federal government, and various providers aims to tackle the bed block issue. Park also highlighted the NSW government’s initiatives to enhance access to care outside hospitals, including the introduction of safe staffing levels, which involve new nurse-to-patient ratios in emergency departments.
Wollongong Hospital has recently completed hiring **30 full-time equivalent nurses**, with ongoing recruitment efforts at Shellharbour Hospital. Park encouraged the public to utilize the healthdirect helpline or urgent care clinics to alleviate pressure on emergency departments.
In a move aimed at addressing the growing demand for aged care, Mark Butler, the Federal Health Minister, along with Sam Rae, the Aged Care Minister, announced the immediate release of **20,000 new home care packages**. These packages are designed to support older individuals in living independently at home, with an additional **20,000** set to be available by the end of the year.
As the situation continues to evolve, both government officials and healthcare providers are working collaboratively to improve conditions in hospitals and ensure timely access to necessary medical care.
