THE latest quarterly report into the performance of Mid North Coast Local Health District (MNCLHF) hospitals shows the health services are coping well with a surge in demand.
Patient numbers for October to December 2025 were up by 1,166, according to the Bureau of Health Information (BHI) Healthcare Quarterly Report.
This is a three percent increase over the same period for 2024.
In total, the MNCLHD Emergency Departments saw 40,126 attendances – the highest for the District since BHI reporting began in 2010.
MNCLHD also continues to outperform state averages.
Notably, 76.8 percent of patients were discharged within four hours, significantly higher than the New South Wales average of 64.6 percent.
Furthermore, 89.8 percent of patients were transferred from ambulances to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark, well above the state average of 80.9 percent.
MNCLHD Chief Executive Jill Wong credited the strong results to the dedication of frontline staff.
“The report shows that demand for emergency and ambulance care continues to climb across our District, in line with statewide trends,” Ms Wong said.
“Our emergency departments have been under considerable pressure, and I want to recognise the commitment of our staff who continue to support patients when they need it most.”
While urgent cases are always prioritised, the MNCLHD also encourages the community to consider utilising the Statewide Virtual Urgent Care Services for non-life-threatening issues.
The Virtual Urgent Care service is available from 8am to 10pm seven days a week, via the Healthdirect hotline (1800 022 222).
The district is also making significant strides in elective care.
Over 3,000 planned surgeries were performed during the latest quarter, a 12 percent improvement over the same period in 2024.
The boosts to performance are supported by the implementation of a range of strategies, including improvements to Safe Staffing Levels at major hubs like Coffs Harbour and Port Macquarie.
These two facilities saw over 38 new full-time equivalent nurses recruited to ensure optimal patient-to-nurse ratios.
Coffs Harbour Health Campus
Coffs Harbour Health Campus ED saw 13,014 attendances in the final quarter of 2025, an increase of 3.7 percent (or 466 attendances) compared to the same quarter in 2024.
More than eight in 10 patients (80.8 percent) were transferred from ambulance to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark, which is better than the average for hospitals of a similar size in NSW (78.9 percent).
The hospital performed 1,042 planned surgeries, a 24.9 percent increase or 208 surgeries compared to the same period last year.
Almost all urgent planned surgery (99.1 percent) was performed on time.
Macksville District Hospital
At Macksville District Hospital over the same period there were 3,935 ED attendances, an increase of 6.4 percent (or 236 attendances).
More than nine in 10 patients (91 percent) started their treatment on time.
Nearly all patients (97 percent) were transferred from ambulance to ED staff within the 30-minute benchmark, with 86.7 percent of patients discharged within four hours.
By Jessica MILLER
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