Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals are facing staffing crises, which resulted in nurses protesting yesterday. Last week Mount Druitt Hospital celebrated the fortieth anniversary of its opening by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. In September 1956 a public meeting was held to discuss the need for a hospital in Blacktown. In 1961 Labor Premier Robert Heffron funded the construction of the hospital, which was completed and opened on 28 April 1965 by the then health Minister Billy Sheahan and Labor Premier Jack Renshaw. At that time the Blacktown shire had a population of 77,000 people. The hospital has gone through many expansions, adding a cardiac ward in 1971, a maternity wing in 1976 and a new emergency department [ED] in 1996. In the past eight years it has seen two building expansions, with an investment of $700 million. Whilst the community is appreciative of the shiny new buildings, it knows that it is people that make the difference.
The latest hospital data shows that Blacktown Hospital is under extreme pressure. Around 74 per cent of patients are not starting their treatments on time in the emergency department, whilst 64 per cent of patients are spending more than four hours in emergency. Despite those extensive waiting times and failures to start on time, 60 per cent of patients speak highly of their experiences and 64 per cent said the care and treatment definitely helped them. The data demonstrates the wonderful and caring nature of the nurses, the doctors and all the supporting staff in treating patients with dignity and respect, and providing the required treatment. When the Government came to power in 2011, the April to June statistics showed that there were 8,666 presentations in ED at Blacktown Hospital. Some 70.6 per cent, or 6,118, of those people started treatment on time. Some 11 years later, presentations have increased by 77 per cent to 15,402 patients, but only 26 per cent, or around 4,000, of those patients started treatment on time. Unfortunately, that is a sad indictment on the Government but not on the staff, who are delivering a wonderful service to the patients under enormous pressure, as evidenced by the survey results.
In November 2020 nurses went on strike. They spoke about the impossible workloads and conditions, with no time for a break or even to have a drink of water, and going home exhausted. They said that patients were coming in with more complex and acute conditions that require specialised care, from diet to managing patient recovery. Nurse burnout means that many want to quit and a lot are not enjoying their profession because there is no support. Almost two years after that nurses strike there are still staff shortages across the hospital network. As predicted, nurses are quitting, with 35 emergency nurses resigning since December 2021.
NSW Nurses and Midwives' Association assistant secretary Michael Whaites has spoken about his serious concerns with the unsafe staffing levels at Blacktown Hospital. The matter is currently before the NSW Industrial Relations Commission. The local community has rallied, with all local community clubs donating extensively to the hospital for decades. Service clubs like Lions, Apex and Rotary all provide invaluable donations and support. The first Blacktown Hospital Auxiliary was formed in 1959 and proudly supports the hospital. Since it was formed it has raised millions of dollars. The Better Foundation was formed in 2017. It has already raised more than $2.2 million for important equipment and programs for the hospital.
The Better Foundation gala night will take place on Friday 18 November. The Minister for Health, the Hon. Brad Hazzard, and the NSW Labor leader, Chris Minns, will be table hosts, along with many other superstars. I note that the member for Riverstone is present in the Chamber. I will be hitting up all the local MPs to buy a table at the gala. The member for Riverstone can buy the Minister's table. Increased staffing is urgently required. In 1966, 80 students began their training at Blacktown Hospital. I doubt that, 56 years later, 80 nurses are starting their training this year. I call on the Government to work closely with the community to deliver for the needs of the hospital.
