Illawarra hospital performance improves but stranded patients increasing

11 March 2026

Illawarra hospitals have recorded improvements in ED and surgery wait times compared to three years ago, according to the latest Bureau of Health Information quarterly data.

It coincides with more investment in hospitals and staff, as well as more pathways to care outside of the hospital.

At the same time, hospitals are facing growing pressure from patients who are ready to leave but remain in hospital waiting for Commonwealth aged care or NDIS placements.

Overdue surgeries reducing 
At the end of the quarter, the number of patients in the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District who had waited longer than clinically recommended for their surgery was 219 down from 932 three years ago.

ED performance improvements
The proportion of triage 2 patients with life threatening conditions in ISLHD being treated on time increased in the October December 2025 quarter compared to three years ago – from 41 per cent to 46.8 percent.

Notable hospitals include Wollongong Hospital which increased from 47.1 per cent three years ago to 56, and Shellharbour which improved 51 per cent three years ago to 54.6.

And fewer patients with semi-urgent and non-urgent conditions are presenting to ISLHD EDs, with an increase take up of Healthdirect and expansion of virtual care services.

Patients awaiting placement
The total number of patients waiting for a Commonwealth aged care or NDIS placement in ISLHD increased from 103 to 135 in the year to 31 December 2025.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Health, Ryan Park:
“Our hospitals continue to show signs of progress and improvement in terms of ED and surgery wait times, which has coincided with our investments in more hospitals, more staff, and more pathways to care outside of the hospital.

“We’re focused on saving our EDs for the patients who need it most while sparing people with non-life threatening conditions an unnecessary wait.

“These improvements however are being offset by Commonwealth bed block – patients ready to be discharged but unable to leave because they are waiting for Commonwealth aged care or NDIS placements. They deserve better.

“I am so grateful for the additional help and assistance our federal colleagues announced last week, but there is more work to be done.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Wollongong Paul Scully:
“While the Minns Government will strive for further improvements in the health system in the Illawarra these results show the benefits of investing in both staff and facilities.

“We have recruited more health professionals, including 30 FTE nurses in the Wollongong Hospital emergency department as the Minns Labor Government continues to deliver on its promise to deliver staffing reform.

“We have also invested in Wollongong Hospital with initiatives like 6 new beds in the Emergency Short Stay Area which and is helping improve service to patients and lower wait times.

“The Government will continue to roll-out further investments which will assist like the completion of the Warrawong Community Health Centre build and the $220 million investment in the next upgrade of Wollongong Hospital.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson:
“It’s encouraging to see real improvements in emergency department performance and surgery wait times across the Illawarra, including at Shellharbour Hospital, compared with three years ago.

“These results reflect sustained investment in local hospitals, more frontline health workers, and expanded pathways like virtual care and Healthdirect that help people get the right care at the right time."

Quotes attributable to Member for South Coast Liza Butler:
“Over the past three years we’ve seen meaningful improvements in both emergency department treatment times and overdue surgeries across the Illawarra and Shoalhaven.
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“That progress is the result of sustained investment in our hospitals, more frontline health staff and new ways for people to access care outside the hospital system.

“It’s encouraging to see the number of patients waiting longer than clinically recommended for surgery fall significantly compared with three years ago.

“While these numbers are encouraging, I acknowledge we have more work to do, that’s why the Minns Labor Government is laser focused on improving health outcomes for everyone across NSW.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Heathcote Maryanne Stuart:
“It’s really heartening to see our local health results moving in the right direction. This progress is a credit to the incredible dedication of our local hospital staff.

“While we still have work to do, these results show that our investment in frontline care is making a real difference for families across the Illawarra region.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Kiama Katelin McInerney:
“It is pleasing to see this shift, and I want to acknowledge the incredibly hard work of our frontline staff - nurses, clinicians, paramedics and NSW Health personnel, and encourage the community to keep up the good work dialling Health Direct before they drive to a local ED to help keep non-urgent presentation numbers down.”

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