A number of nurses who work in hospitals in Western Sydney have contacted Jim Wilson detailing the struggles of the NSW health system.

In one emergency department in a hospital, the staffing levels were at minus eight, and on that same night, it went to minus 12.

Three sections of that emergency department had to be closed due to inadequate staffing.

It meant there were 55 patients in the waiting room where there was one registered nurse at triage responsible for the patients.

Amongst the patients in the waiting room were both COVID positive and non-COVID patients, sick children, patients requiring heart monitoring and elderly patients including a 95-year-old.

“This is deeply disturbing and our poor nurses and doctors are at breaking point and the work conditions are a disgrace, put simply these are unsafe workplaces!” Jim said.

Some staff are also working up to 18-hour shifts to cover the staff shortage.

“No wonder they’re totally spent and they need help otherwise it’s inevitable more of these nurses and doctors will leave the industry and I hate to say it but people’s lives will be lost.”

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Nurses Lisa and Tracey told Jim Wilson the situations and working conditions are extremely dire.

Lisa told Jim she has had to take time off work due to how intense the work currently is.

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Image: Getty