On Wednesday evening, Jill Walker's GP called an ambulance to take her to hospital because he was concerned she possibly had appendicitis.
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About the same time, Joel Fitzsimmons attended the emergency department with dizziness, nausea, blurred vision and migraine, problems that had plagued him since he suffered a head injury when he intervened in a home invasion several weeks ago.
But both ended up leaving without treatment after waiting several hours with dozens of others, an experience that has left them concerned and frustrated.
Northern Illawarra Hospital Group general manager Nicole Sheppard said the emergency department saw a typical number of presentations on Wednesday night, but many were in the most urgent categories and needed "complex assessment and treatment".
"These conditions include stroke, heart attack, serious fractures and appendicitis," Ms Sheppard said.
Ms Walker told the Mercury that upon arrival at the hospital about 6pm, the paramedic sat her in a chair in the emergency department and told her to wait.
She said she did not see a triage nurse and about 10pm she went to the desk to ask how long it would be.
After that, she said, someone came and took her blood pressure, and then about half an hour later someone came out and advised those waiting that if they could return home, they should.
"We were not with our arms hanging off or anything, no one was bleeding, but we were all unwell," Ms Walker said.
She took a taxi home.
Mr Fitzsimmons recalled a doctor coming out about 9pm and telling those waiting that there had been a lot of emergencies and a doctor would not be free for up to six hours.
He had no criticisms of the department staff - "They're doing the best they can" - but said the number of beds available was not enough.
Mr Fitzsimmons left after waiting about eight hours because he needed sleep.
He said it was "not a safe environment" because of vomit and urine, and he even saw people leaving despite having cannulas in, even as nurses tried to convince them to stay.
Ms Sheppard said doctors gave those with minor injuries and illnesses who were assessed as being well enough the option to go home and return in the morning, but this was voluntary.
In a letter to the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District and the Health Care Complaints Commission, Ms Walker noted that the issue was not the fault of the staff, who she said were "working flat out", but voiced concern that the hospital was underfunded.
She wrote that she was unhappy "there is a luxury private hospital built right next door for "private" health service clients which is entirely empty for much of the time".
The most recent data from the Bureau of Health Information shows that in the October-December period last year, 18,855 presented to the emergency department - an increase of 2.2 per cent on the same period in 2019.
More than 82 per cent of these people received treatment within the recommended time frames, which represented an improvement of almost 13 per cent on the previous year.
This was also better than the average of similar hospitals, which stood at 68.3 per cent.
Ms Sheppard said the 2020-21 expenses budget for the health district was more than $1 billion, an increase of $24.3 million on the previous year.
She urged residents who were not suffering a serious or life-threatening condition to consider visiting a medical centre, their GP or contact HealthDirect on 1800 022 222 instead of attending a hospital emergency department.
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Natalie Croxon
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
Reporter at the Illawarra Mercury, mostly covering social affairs. Previously of the Bendigo Advertiser, Northern Daily Leader and Quirindi Advocate. Our Watch award winner.
