Kellie Sloane
Leader of the Opposition
NSW Liberal Leader
Sarah Mitchell
Shadow Minister for Health
Shadow Minister for Regional Health
Shadow Minister for Mental Health
Today’s announcement that the Minns Labor Government is still developing a plan to deal with bed block in NSW Hospitals is a shocking admission of failure.
For three years, the Minns Labor Government has blamed the Albanese Labor Government for bed block in NSW Hospitals, while failing to do anything to tackle the issue themselves.
NSW Opposition Leader Kellie Sloane said today’s announcement was half baked, pointing to the fact the Minns Government has failed to present any new plans for investment in transitional or step-down facilities.
“If we are going to properly tackle the issue of bed block in NSW, we need more than a plan for a plan. We need to be investing in facilities to provide transitional support for older patients in a similar way to other states,” Ms Sloane said.
“Patients deserve a health system that works when they need it most and that is what the Liberals and Nationals will deliver.”
The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine’s latest workforce survey shows a sharp spike in patients presenting to EDs with non-urgent issues in Western Sydney, indicating the rollout of Urgent Care Centres is not stemming the tide.
Shadow Health Minister Sarah Mitchell said the Minns Labor Government can’t continue to blame everything on bed block.
“This announcement stinks of a failing government wanting to look like they’re addressing bed block with an election fast approaching,” Mrs Mitchell said.
The latest BHI data shows 75,525 patients left NSW hospitals without completing or receiving treatment in the January to March quarter this year; more than 8,000 above the number for the same quarter in 2025.
Mrs Mitchell said three years of a Labor blame game hasn’t done a single thing to fix bed block or help vulnerable patients in NSW.