Goulburn Base Hospital's emergency department has experienced an increase of 5.6 per cent in arrivals by ambulance to the hospital during the January to March reporting period, compared to the same time last year.
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This rise represents an increase of 52 presentations by ambulance, during a period that covered drought, prolonged bushfire smoke haze and the COVID pandemic.
The hospital also had a slight increase of 1.9 per cent of urgent cases in emergency presentations, seeing 1,687 presentations, a rise of 32.
The Southern NSW Local Health District (SNSWLHD) data shows that across the region, all elective surgery procedures were performed on time or ahead of the peer group results during the quarter.
Chief Executive Margaret Bennett said the region faced bushfires, drought, an upswing in influenza-like illness cases and the health fallout from a global pandemic during the reporting period.
She said despite the busy period, nearly 80 per cent (79.5 per cent) of patients started their treatment on time, compared with a NSW state result of 74.1 per cent.
"We are incredibly proud of our workforce and I know the whole community is too because their performance under extraordinary circumstances has been tremendous," Ms Bennett said.
"This report covers a time when large parts of our district were ravaged b'y bushfires and blanketed in smoke, which affected the homes and communities of many of our doctors and nurses, as well as patients presenting to our hospitals.
"Straight after the bushfires, we experienced the COVID-19 pandemic and despite all this, the most urgent patients in our EDs were treated quicker than the state average and people had their non-urgent elective surgery faster than state results."
Figures show in all elective surgery procedures (urgent, semi-urgent and non-urgent) the district performed ahead of the state average.
The NSW Government has announced up to an extra $388 million will be invested to fast-track elective surgeries delayed as a result of the National Cabinet decision, ensuring patients will be booked in to public or private hospitals as soon as possible.
Surgery lists are being closely monitored, and any patient whose condition changes or deteriorates should speak to their treating clinician. Clinicians determine the surgical priority of their patients.
Ms Bennett said there continues to be substantial investment in health facilities across the district, including the $120 million Goulburn Hospital and Health Service redevelopment, and a further $30 million announced for new cancer and renal service facilities.
A total of $8 million has been set aside for the Yass Hospital redevelopment, with funding for the Braidwood Multipurpose Service (MPS) redevelopment coming from the $304 million State-wide program of works to upgrade MPS facilities in a number of rural and remote communities across NSW.
At Crookwell District Hospital, $2.5 million has been committed for refurbishment works.
