Bad end to summer in WA’s hospitals points to an even worse winter
New ambulance increase figures cast cold water on the Cook Government’s new confidence in preparing for this year’s upcoming flu season.
Escalating figures released today last month show February was the worst February on record, with ambulances parked outside public hospitals for around 4,893 hours to transport patients.
This figure broke the February record set last year with 4840 hours.
The release of the figures raises doubts about the province’s ability to cope with the upcoming flu season after it spent much of last week talking about its preparedness thanks to its 2026 winter health strategy.
Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas said the new figures were an “absolute indictment” of the government.
“His priorities are out of place where they need to be, which is fixing our healthcare system and speeding up ambulances,” he said.
“For over 12 months we have consistently said: [ramping] It is the canary in the coal mine with the problem in our healthcare system and does not receive enough attention.
“They’re too interested in sports and entertainment. They’re too interested in other projects. They’re not fixing the basics.”
“If the government is confident that things are going well for the winter based on February, that’s great, but… February data hit an all-time record.”
Last winter, increased working hours reached two new late-winter records, with 7,012 hours in August and 7,270 hours in September.
Zempilas also took aim at the Cook government’s failure to fully implement the five-point plan developed among health unions last year.
The plan called for moving people away from emergency rooms when they could be seen at urgent care clinics or a GP; this could potentially bring 400 aged care beds online, improving the staffing and 24/7 operation of hospitals.
The plan comes at the end of the scare flu season that swept the state, bringing total emergency room visits to nearly 1.2 million and 700,000 to public hospitals.
Zempilas accused the government of not implementing any of the plan.
Hammat was approached for further comment, but some of the plan, such as diversion from emergency services, was announced during a media blitz last week when he unveiled his 2026 winter plan.
This included announcing the next phase of nurse-to-patient ratios in intensive care wards.
Rates now apply at major metropolitan intensive and critical care units including Sir Charles Gairdner, Fiona Stanley, Rockingham General, Armadale and Royal Perth hospitals, as well as Perth Children’s Hospital and King Edward Memorial Hospital.
He also announced that the winter 2026 strategy will be funded with the previously announced $140 million and some new money.
Part of the strategy included the launch of a new website called Access Health WA, which aims to direct sick or injured Western Australians with minor ailments from emergency departments to urgent care clinics, the WA Virtual Emergency Department or GP.
The strategy found there are on average more than 300 people in WA hospital beds due to a shortage of aged care beds.
The government will spend $24.2 million to increase the number of ‘Time to Think’ beds, which take aged care patients out of hospitals as they consider their next move.
The government will also “standardise emergency department processes” to make the transfer of patient care faster.
Hammat also noted the upcoming purchase of Mount Lawley Hospital from St John of God Healthcare, with an extra 100 beds coming into the public system to increase hospital capacity.
Hamish Hastie is WAtoday’s state political correspondent and the winner of five WA Media Awards, including the 2023 Beck Award for best political journalism.Connect with: X or email.
