NSW Health Minister drops the ball on Dialysis
Published 06 September 2024
The NSW Opposition has called on Labor to listen to senior clinicians at Sydney’s busiest hospitals who have been warning him about a severe and escalating crisis in the Renal and Dialysis Services in their health districts.
Nephrologists from the Sydney Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD), South Western Sydney Local Health District (SWSLHD), and Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District (NBMLHD), wrote to the Minister on the 30th July about a lack of capacity leading them to ration life sustaining dialysis to patients who require it.
Shadow Minister for Health Kellie Sloane says that this is an unprecedented call to action by dozens of clinicians who have said to the Minister that lives are at risk if he doesn’t intervene.
“We have a situation where clinicians are rationing life-saving care and comparing the resourcing to 3rd world conditions. This then has a flow on effect with people presenting at EDs. The Minister needs to urgently outline his plan to address this’.
One in six Australian dialysis patients are currently treated in Western and Southwestern Sydney, and local health disadvantage continues to cause disproportionate demand compared to other parts of NSW.
“These health districts need lifesaving investment, but Labor has cut health spend in real terms` two budgets in a row. They are facing rolling industrial action by nurses for unfunded wage increases. Emergency departments are under strain. And when they can’t manage the health budget – what hope is there for vital services like renal and dialysis services”.
The NSW Health Minister can no longer ignore this growing crisis. He must meet with these doctors and urgently intervene before this it worse.
MEDIA: Nick McNamara | Nick.Mcnamara@parliament.nsw.gov.au
