NSW hospital bed crisis deepens as opposition slams Labor over $120m plan

The NSW government has come under fire over the state’s hospital bed crisis and the delivery of a $120m expansion to beds in Blacktown and Mt Druitt hospitals.

During state budget estimates on Thursday morning, Labor Health Minister Ryan Park clashed with opposition MPs over claims the government was delaying on much-needed investments into public hospitals in Western Sydney.

Liberal MP Susan Carter questioned why the minister was “playing politics” with a $120m rollout of 60 beds between Blacktown and Mt Druitt hospitals.

She accused the government of delaying the rollout, which is forecast to be delivered in the 2027-28 financial year but listed with a financial completion date of 2029.

“I’m more interested in what we should be saying to a 70-year old grandfather Raymond Ryan forced to sleep on the floor of the hospital ED after waiting more than 24 hours for a bed,” Ms Carter said.

“That was in July … what do we say to Raymond Ryan?”

In response, Mr Park referenced the previous Liberal government’s record of wage cuts and a lack of investment in “frontline staff”.

“It was your government that paid 0 per cent during the middle of Covid to frontline healthcare workers,” Mr Park said.

“Over the last three years we’ve invested more in the health workforce than any other government has.”

Ms Carter was ultimately held up on a point of order by committee chair and Greens MLC Amanda Cohn after she “crossed a line”.

“We do have rules around procedural fairness that include treating the witnesses with respect, and I think that actually did cross a line,” Ms Cohn said of Ms Carter’s “playing politics” comment.

The hearing was disrupted by consistent points of order after a series of fiery exchanges between Mr Park and Ms Carter.

Labor MLC Stephen Lawrence accused Nationals MLC Wes Fang of “screaming, pointing, ranting and raving” after he clashed with Mr Park over an inquiry into the issues at Blacktown Hospital.

“You’ve been asked a question, you’re not answering the question. Your side of government supported an inquiry into rural health in the last term of parliament. Why won’t you support an inquiry into Blacktown Hospital?” Mr Fang shouted.

Mr Park defended the government’s record on inquiries into the state’s healthcare system.

“I had a royal commission into my own agency … I don’t know any other minister over the last 20 years who has initiated a royal commission,” Mr Park said.

He claimed the government was adding “significantly increased amounts of staff” and bed expansions “to the tune of $120m” at Blacktown Hospital and said his government was committed to focusing on “patient experience” at problem hospitals.

“We’ve seen significant improvements at Blacktown Hospital but there is more to do,” he said.