Hunter New England Health hospitals continue to perform well, with June 2007 performance figures showing more people are being treated and waiting lists continue to decrease.

Director Operations Acute Networks Michael DiRienzo said across the region there was an increase in medical admissions and emergency department activity, which we would expect in winter.

"Winter is our busiest time of year and, as we would expect, hospitals across the area are experiencing increased demand for services - particularly patients being admitted with urgent, complex medical conditions," said Mr DiRienzo.

"For example, we saw a seven per cent increase in presentations to our emergency departments (ED) from June 2006 to June 2007.

"Most Hunter New England Health hospitals are meeting benchmarks and providing excellent care to patients against a backdrop of more patients coming in for treatment.

"Increased admissions have placed additional demand on services, however we are implementing winter strategies like opening more beds, using the 23 hour unit at Royal Newcastle Centre to effectively treat patients who require a shorter stay and increasing availability of community nursing, medical and allied health staff to treat appropriate patients in their home," said Mr DiRienzo.

"We also have aged care assessment teams to manage elderly patients in the ED, nurse practitioners to assist nursing and medical staff to fast track patients in the ED – all these resources help us cope with surge to help us meet that demand and ensure that people presenting to our hospitals are provided with appropriate care when they need it most.

John Hunter Hospital’s Emergency Department was the busiest Emergency Department in the state for June 2007, caring for 4,884 patients that month, up from 4,549 in June 2006 – a seven per cent increase while maintaining good performance.

Mr DiRienzo said staff were also working hard to reduce elective surgery waiting lists. In June 2007, across our entire area health service no one waited longer than 12 months for their surgery, compared to eight patients in June 2006.

"While we don’t like to see anyone have to wait for care, we have been working hard to reduce the number of long wait patients and will continue to make this a priority so we can increase the quality and access to care for patients," said Mr DiRienzo