Health check: Department plugs hospital report
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The New South Wales Government says a new report shows state hospitals are performing better than ever, despite more people attending emergency rooms.
The performance review of selected hospital data shows dramatic improvements in both urgent and elective surgery waiting times over three years.
It also shows that emergency department waiting rooms are meeting national benchmarks and that there have been big improvements in triage four and five categories.
The Health Department says the results are due to improvements in patient care and surgery practices.
Health Minister Reba Meagher says the report shows the health system is performing better than ever.
But she has had to defend why she only released only selective data from the report to the media.
Projects 'at risk'
Ms Meagher also confirmed the failure of the NSW Government's plans for the electricity sector has put the future of several major health projects around the state at risk.
Standard and Poors has warned the NSW's credit rating could be downgraded unless the capital works program is reviewed.
Ms Meagher says that could affect plans for 60 hospital redevelopments.
She says upgrades for Lismore, Port Macquarie and Tumut hospitals as well as planned hospitals for Bega and Sydney's northern beaches are now in doubt.
