Treatment times have been congratulated at Wagga hospital despite an increase in admissions.
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Almost two-per-cent more casualties presented to the Wagga Rural Referral’s emergency department last quarter than this time last year, according to statistics released on Wednesday.
The Bureau of Health Information Hospital Quarterly highlighted a rise of more than 150 patients between October and December in Wagga alone.
The findings paralleled a state-wide trend, as an increase of more than 20,000 patients were reported across NSW.
Wagga’s chief executive Jill Ludford said the hospital had treated an additional 5,500 patients in the 12-months since its January 2016 opening – an eight-per-cent increase.
Ms Ludford said despite the increase, staff were attending to patients at a faster rate than the final 2015 quarter.
“This performance was also better than the state average for peer hospitals,” Ms Mudford said.
“The hospital continues to urge people with minor conditions to see their GP or seek other health advice.”
The amount of patients who spent four hours or less in emergency also reportedly improved by three per cent.
Despite an increase in the total amount of elective surgeries performed, 100 per cent of urgent patients had received their surgery within the clinically recommended time frame.
With winter around the corner, the hospital advised Riverina residents to visit their GP, local pharmacy or to contact healthdirect for advice and information.