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Frustrated MP asks residents to air grievances about Maitland Hospital delays

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Frustrated Maitland state MP Jenny Aitchison is calling on residents to air their grievances about the region’s newest hospital – and its lengthy waiting times.

The $470 million Metford site was touted as a “saviour” for locals when it opened its doors in January, with Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD) chief executive Michael DiRienzo claiming it would bring improved healthcare services to Maitland and surrounds.

Sadly, it’s been anything but with numerous complaints emerging about delays occurring on a regular basis.

In fact, according to recent data provided to Ms Aitchison, 20% of patients who attend Maitland Hospital seeking medical assistance from the Emergency Department (ED) leave before they receive treatment.

The Newcastle Weekly understands an Aberglasslyn grandmother ventured to the facility with suspected blood clots following hip replacement surgery.

After six hours, and without being seen, she left.

A Rutherford mother was transported to the ED by ambulance after her knee gave away at home.

Despite being in tremendous agony, she discharged herself following a 12-hour wait – and managed to see a GP instead.

In that case, she was given a couple of pain relief tablets.

They are just two of the many examples of the issues occurring daily.

And, Ms Aitchison has had enough.

“It’s a real concern that one-in-five people are leaving before they receive treatment – it’s also the highest percentage in the state,” she said.

“I spoke to a man who came out and said the system is completely broken, while several health care workers are doing it really tough as well.

“This is not about the fantastic staff, who work in the ED and the rest of the hospital.

“It’s not about the paramedics who bring patients here.

“Unfortunately, there are not enough of them.

“We have a brand new hospital, totalling almost $500 million, but we don’t have the staff to actually provide the services our community needs.”

Ms Aitchison is now asking residents to join the fight in the hope the NSW Government will finally listen to her pleas.

“I want to hear your stories, so email your details to me at [email protected],” she said.

“We need to let Premier Dominic Perrottet and NSW Minister for Health Brad Hazzard that it’s not okay to have a half-a-billion-dollar hospital if we don’t have the staff to provide the services.

“The current workers are being pushed to breaking level.

“I’ve had some of them come to me in tears about the stress they are experiencing trying to keep all of us healthy and safe.

“This is not how a public health system should be.

“Those in government must stop talking about fixing the problem – and actually do something about it immediately.”

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