NSW: Hosiptal emergency depts struggling to cope-auditor

AAP General News (Australia)
12-15-2003
NSW: Hosiptal emergency depts struggling to cope-auditor

An audit report has found that NSW hospital emergency departments are struggling to
cope with demand.

NSW Auditor-General BOB SENDT says the average length of time a hospital is on code
red is increasing.

Code red is when an emergency department is at or exceeding capacity and must turn
away all but life threatening cases.

Mr SENDT says there was one day in August when 19 of Sydney's 24 metropolitan hospitals
were code red at the same time.

And he says ambulance delays have not improved.

He says the system is struggling to cope with demand.

AAP RTV jph/nf/gjr/rp D

KEYWORD: CODE (SYDNEY)

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