New South Wales hospitals face a crisis as elderly and sick patients overwhelm emergency departments, leading to record wait times and a surge in bed block cases. Medical groups urge the federal government to address funding issues, with data showing a 50% increase in disabled and aged care patients in hospital beds. Over 1,150 patients stayed past their expected discharge date in September, marking a 54% increase in a year. Westmead Hospital in Sydney had the most beds occupied by these patients. Meanwhile, over 73,000 patients left emergency departments without treatment, the highest number on record. NSW Health Minister Ryan Park acknowledges the issue, warning that current efforts to add hospital beds will be futile if bed block continues to worsen.

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