"Health System Overload Crisis insufficient capacity & function"

Personal Experience at my local hospital

I am currently sitting in my hospital bed, which is located in a meeting room that has been hastily converted into an overflow ward at the hospital. Alongside me are two other patients, and a hospital staff member is working at a computer in the same cramped space, reflecting what I feel is the lack of proper facilities and insufficient capacity.

I feel it is evident that hospitals in the South West lack sufficient capacity and functionality. In my opinion, this situation has pushed the local community to its limits, as it seems to be highlighted by various media sources and my own experience.

My attending doctor personally apologized to me and the other patients for the uncomfortable circumstances. The emotion and embarrassment in the doctor's apology were clear to me—a seemingly stark contrast to the claim that Australia seemingly boasts the “best health system in the world”, while patients are forced into makeshift wards.

The staff are simply amazing, I don't know how they do it day in day out, particularly dealing with difficult drug affected patients in a system that I believe is stretched to its limits.

Capacity Issues in Surrounding Towns

From what I understand, very little has been done to increase the capacity or improve the functionality of hospitals in the major towns surrounding this area. Hospital staff continue to do their best under immense pressure, but in my opinion many are experiencing high levels of stress.

Challenges in the Emergency Department

During my time in the Emergency Department, I saw nurses and doctors dealing with drug-affected individuals who were abusive and aggressive, while security staff attempted to manage the situation. Drug abuse is a serious and escalating problem in the South West of Western Australia, which to me presents an ugly outlook for the future and imposes a significant burden on the health system, as well as state and federal budgets.

Community and Government Concerns

As a proud fifth-generation Western Australian, I find this situation deeply troubling and embarrassing. Despite Western Australia’s wealth, I feel governments continue to spend on non-essential projects—such as race tracks, the Barrack Jetty tower, and football teams—while investment in the wellbeing of Western Australians should be, in my opinion, the top priority for all levels of government.

Call for Action and Solutions

It is time for Western Australian citizens to stand up and demand real solutions. Many of these solutions are, in my view, straightforward:

•Upgrade Rural and Regional Hospitals: In my opinion, the efforts so far have been insufficient. Both major political parties share responsibility for the current situation, which has developed over time. The political disputes must stop, and collaboration is needed—at least in my opinion—to build more hospitals and facilities, especially in rural and regional areas. 

•Develop a Plan to Tackle Drugs: I believe strategies are needed to stop drugs from entering the region and to prevent the supply of ingredients for methamphetamine labs. Reducing drug use will also help decrease mental health issues, as it seems to me. 

Key Issues Affecting the South West Health System

•Workforce Shortages: Apparent chronic shortages affect GPs, nurses, midwives, allied health professionals, and medical specialists. Recruiting and retaining staff is difficult, leading to burnout and impacting the quality and availability of care, in my view. 

•Ambulance Ramping: I believe this hospital has reported record levels of ambulance ramping, a major symptom of what I believe is a system unable to meet demand. I feel this is indicative of a lack of available hospital beds and overall capacity issues. 

•Access to Services: Residents face challenges accessing primary care and specialists. Some areas have low access to GPs relative to need, resulting in higher rates of lower urgency presentations to emergency departments, from what I understand. 

•Infrastructure Limitations: Facilities like Bunbury Hospital, Busselton Health Campus and Margaret River Hospital require expansion in capacity and function to accommodate population growth and increased demand, in my opinion. 

•Service Cuts: I feel the closure of the maternity ward at a private hospital in this town due to staff shortages has further strained the public health system and limited options for expectant mothers locally.

•Health Disparities: Country regions like the South West generally have poorer health outcomes compared to metropolitan areas, with a higher burden of chronic disease and lower life expectancy. Aboriginal residents, in particular, face significant health inequities, which I find deeply concerning.