Only half of the patients facing a potentially life threatening situation, like chest pain or severe burns, are seen within nine minutes at Nepean Hospital.
It is recommended that at least 80 per cent of these patients begin treatment within 10 minutes of arrival.
NSW Opposition Leader, John Robertson, said Nepean Hospital needed priority funding in the upcoming Budget.
“If one of my kids was rushed to emergency in the middle of the night, I’d want peace of mind they would be treated immediately – and I know parents in Penrith feel the same way,” he said.
Mr Robertson said the growth in demand for services was still occurring, but the funding wasn’t being provided to keep up.
“We need to make sure the upcoming Budget provides sufficient funding to deal with bed blockages and other issues that stop people being dealt with,” he said.
“Now is the opportunity for the local member, Stuart Ayres… to be knocking on the door of [Treasurer] Mike Baird saying Nepean Hospital needs the funding so it can properly service the people who use the facilities.”
However, Mr Ayres pointed out that Nepean Hospital’s median waiting time has decreased in three out of four measured categories last year.
He also pointed out that the recently opened East Block surgical wing would result in shorter waiting times for patients at Nepean Hospital.
