Wollongong Hospital has achieved improvements in emergency department (ED) performance, resulting in faster patient transfers into the ED and earlier commencement of treatment.

The latest data shows a substantial increase in the number of patients starting treatment on time, as well as those being transferred from ambulance to ED staff within benchmark timeframes. 

For the week commencing Monday, 22 September 2025:

• The proportion of triage 2 emergency patients being treated on time has tripled over the past year (from 27.2 per cent of T2 patients to 86.3 per cent).
• The proportion of triage 3 urgent patients being treated on time has quadrupled over the past year (from 20.8 per cent of T3 patients to 82 per cent).
• Ramping has also improved with the proportion of patients transferred from ambulance to ED staff within 30 minutes improving by 50 per cent (from 65.2 per cent of patients to 95.9 per cent).

These achievements reflect the strong commitment of the NSW Government and Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ISLHD) to providing timely, high-quality emergency care to the community.

Initiatives being delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $480.7 million ED relief package for the state, include:

• Commencement of discharge patient flow concierge staff who support clinical staff to facilitate patient flow and better coordinate the discharge processes.
• Expansion of Wollongong Hospital’s Emergency Short Stay Unit (ESSU), with six new treatment spaces (increasing from 10 to 16), anticipated to be operational before the end of the year.

Other targeted strategies implemented at Wollongong Hospital include:

• Enhancing virtual, community and at-home care.
• Optimising use of the ESSU as alternate admission location from the ED for suitable patients.
• Improving the timeliness of ward discharge, supported by the increased capacity of the Wollongong Hospital Transit Lounge, from 7 to 12 spaces in June 2025.
• Use of real-time monitoring and dashboards to strengthen processes.
• Promoting the use of urgent care services and Healthdirect for minor illness and injury.

If an illness or injury is not serious or life-threatening, we encourage the community to call healthdirect on 1800 022 222, for free, instant health advice anywhere, anytime, across NSW. A registered nurse will answer your call, ask some questions and connect you with the right care. This may include a nearby urgent care centre, doctor or pharmacist, or a specialist virtual care service.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:

“These improvements are simply incredible.

“What we’re seeing at Wollongong Hospital is progress that makes a real difference for patients, their families and carers by ensuring they get the care they need, when they need it.

“I would like to acknowledge the ongoing hard work and commitment of staff at Wollongong Hospital and throughout ISLHD who continue to prioritise new and enhanced models of care to better care for the local community.

“We are investing in more staff, more pathways to care outside the hospital, lower wait times and better patient outcomes – there’s more to do, but this is really important progress.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Wollongong Paul Scully:

“The improvements in ED performance at Wollongong Hospital are good for patients, hospital staff and paramedics.

“Faster transfers mean ambulance crews can get back on the road, and patients in need of care reach ED clinicians sooner.

“Patients receiving prompt assessment and treatment in the ED also bolsters patient flow across the entire Wollongong Hospital.

“This has taken a lot of hard work and commitment from staff and their efforts to improve patient outcomes should be commended.”