Northern NSW hospitals have recorded faster emergency treatment and ambulance handovers despite an increase in patients requiring urgent care.
The latest Bureau of Health Information data shows 56,307 patients attended emergency departments across the Northern NSW Local Health District between April and June, broadly unchanged from the same period last year.
However, the number of seriously ill patients increased, with 320 resuscitation presentations, up 15.1 per cent.
Emergency presentations rose 6.6 per cent to 7,600, while urgent presentations increased 6.1 per cent to 21,595.
At the same time, semi-urgent presentations fell 3.6 per cent and non-urgent presentations dropped 14.8 per cent.
Despite the increased demand from higher-acuity patients, 79.4 per cent of people began treatment on time, up 4.5 percentage points from the same quarter last year and above the NSW average of 68.7 per cent.
Ambulance arrivals also increased 7 per cent to 10,523, but handover times improved.
More than 86 per cent of ambulance patients were transferred to emergency department staff within the 30-minute benchmark, up 10.1 percentage points and above the NSW average of 80.3 per cent.
Northern NSW Local Health District Chief Executive Tracey Maisey said the results reflected the work of staff across the region.
“We continue to deliver high-quality, timely healthcare to the people of Northern NSW because of the concerted efforts of every staff member. From our emergency departments to surgical theatres, administration, cleaners and wards people, I extend a wholehearted thank you to everyone,” Maisey said.
Lismore Base Hospital recorded some of the strongest improvements.
The hospital treated 10,353 emergency patients during the quarter, up 2.9 per cent, while ambulance arrivals increased 7.9 per cent to 3,209.
Almost nine in 10 ambulance patients were transferred to emergency department staff within 30 minutes, an improvement of 30.9 per cent compared with the same period last year.
Treatment started on time for 78.8 per cent of patients, up 13.6 percentage points.
“I’m especially pleased to see the significant reduction in time it is taking for patients to access treatment at the Emergency Department at Lismore Base Hospital, particularly when being transferred from ambulance to the ED.
“Lismore Base Hospital has improved their time to transfer from ambulance to ED staff by 30 per cent, compared with the same quarter in 2025.
“This improvement is a direct result of the team coming together and developing new patient flow strategies to ensure our patients receive the care they need in a safe and timely manner.”
Ballina District Hospital recorded 4,658 emergency presentations, with 75.2 per cent of patients beginning treatment on time, an improvement of 15.2 per cent compared with last year.
Grafton Base Hospital recorded 7,384 presentations, with 66.7 per cent of patients starting treatment on time.
At Murwillumbah District Hospital, 90.2 per cent of patients began treatment on time, while 97.2 per cent of ambulance patients were handed over within 30 minutes.
Tweed Valley Hospital recorded 14,653 emergency presentations, with 82.1 per cent of patients beginning treatment on time.
More than 40 full-time equivalent nurses have also been recruited as part of Safe Staffing Levels at emergency departments in Lismore, Tweed and Grafton, with recruitment underway at Ballina.
Surgical teams completed 4,054 planned procedures across the district during the quarter, with 79.4 per cent performed within clinically recommended timeframes.
The surgical waiting list fell 5.7 per cent, or 296 patients, compared with the same period last year.
A total of 721 babies were born at Northern NSW Local Health District facilities during the quarter.
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