General News
19 June, 2025
Orange hospital issues to impact regions
Late last month it was widely reported that Orange hospital - which services a region the size of the United Kingdom - has been regularly operating under “code black” conditions.
Director of Surgery at Orange hospital, Dr Rob Knox, explained code black” means no available beds, no capacity to accept regional transfers, and an overwhelmed emergency system.
Dr Knox told this journalist the code black scenario is the latest in a long series of issues plaguing local health service delivery at Orange hospital, which allegedly stems from chronic under-resourcing and opposition by management to implement locally-identified solutions. Unrealistic budgets and key performance indicators (KPIs) have also reportedly put regional patient outcomes at risk.
Concerns also include a blowout in emergency and elective surgery waiting times, alleged re-categorisation of cancer surgeries and publication of false wait-list data, specialists being prevented from treating patients, and theatre and bed capacity underutilised.
With Orange hospital the main emergency surgical and trauma centre for a district of 285,000 people, the implications of regular code black operations on the many patients travelling from rural, regional and remote areas for treatment and surgery are of concern. Dr Knox, speaking on behalf of his medical colleagues, agrees. “Regional people are prepared. They are used to having to travel for services. But, you know, travelling to a big city is something most of us find really quite confronting,” Dr Knox said.
State member for Orange, Phil Donato, called upon health minister Ryan Park in parliament to undertake an independent and transparent investigation into the issues raised.
Minister Park agreed to the investigation, indicating the current government had also invested $200 million into trying to reduce the post-pandemic surgery backlog.
Read More: Nyngan