Western Sydney residents will benefit from additional beds, services and staff as part of a healthcare package of over $38 million tailored to enhance health care at one of the country's busiest hospitals.
The Minns Labor Government is increasing patient capacity at Westmead Hospital by opening additional beds in specialty areas and boosting support services to relieve pressure at Western Sydney hospitals.
For years Western Sydney communities have waited for upgrades and improvements to their health services. This funding boost is part of a record $10.3 billion investment in the recent 2026-27 NSW Budget, the largest increase to the health budget in the state's history.
Initiatives to be undertaken include:
- 18 additional beds in specialty areas at Westmead Hospital, boosting the medical capacity in high‑demand areas of respiratory, cardiology and the ED Short-Stay Unit.
- Expanding a specialised respiratory outreach service consisting of a Clinical Nurse Consultant, Clinical Nurse Specialist and Respiratory Staff Specialist to support early intervention, prevent deterioration and enable earlier discharge through care delivered both in hospital and in the community.
- Increased allied health services across Western Sydney hospitals, with recruitment of additional staff, who will support long-stay patients in their recovery and enable earlier discharge with more timely allied health support, such as physiotherapy and speech therapy.
This investment will improve patient flow through the hospital, helping the movement of patients from the emergency department to the specialised wards to receive the care they need.
The initiatives will also improve patient experience and wellbeing through reducing wait times, providing safer care environments, reducing inpatient length of stay, providing earlier access to specialist pathways, and expanding home-based alternatives.
After the former Coalition government failed to deliver or properly fund major hospital projects around the state, the Minns Labor Government is making record investments to deliver more hospitals, more beds and save the health services the Coalition jeopardised.
The Minns Labor Government is investing $11.9 billion delivering 32 new or upgraded hospitals, including:
- $910 million for the new Rouse Hill Hospital - which the Liberals promised and failed to deliver at three elections - and which will include an emergency department as well as birthing services;
- $2 billion for the new Bankstown Hospital - which the Liberals promised in 2019 and failed to deliver;
- $630 million for the Fairfield Hospital Redevelopment, including an $80 million contribution from the Commonwealth Government;
- $400 million for the Canterbury Hospital Redevelopment; and
- $120 million for additional beds for Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospital.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Ryan Park:
"We promised to deliver more beds and more health services, so that's exactly what we're doing.
"Winter always puts significant pressure on our hospitals, especially in Western Sydney, which is why these initiatives are so important to support our health staff and improve experience for patients.
"This investment represents real value for money because not only are we providing better care for people when they interact with the system, we are creating much needed additional capacity so more people can lean on our healthcare system when they need it most.
"The former Coalition government's failure to properly invest in health services across western Sydney let hospitals under pressure, and jeopardised health services for local communities."
Quotes attributable to Member for Parramatta Donna Davis:
"Western Sydney continues to grow, and this government is determined to not just expand its healthcare options but also improve the quality of services available to its residents.
"We have spent billions of dollars on world-class infrastructure in the west, so it's important we continue to invest like this in the systems and processes to ensure healthcare is the best it can be.
"The local health district's population is already above one million people, and it's set to keep increasing, up to more than 1.4 million by 2041 - so what we're doing today is not just about the present, but about the future too.
