General News
22 June, 2025
Orange hospital issues to impact regional patients
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.
“We are seeing patients with emergency conditions like bowel obstructions and fractures left waiting, while non-urgent surgeries go ahead - simply to meet KPIs,” said Dr Knox.
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.
“Our key aim in raising all of this is to ensure that we have a sustainable workforce for the future and well equipped local hospitals, be it Orange or Dubbo, that are equipped with the latest technologies and up to date clinicians who are deeply invested in the local area to provide services as close to home as is practical,” he explained.
“There’s a lack of incentive to really invest in local service delivery, and that’s something we’re desperate to try to overcome,” he added.
On May 29, 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, indicating the current government had invested $200 million into trying to reduce the post-pandemic surgery backlog.
Western NSW Local Health District also released several media statements addressing the concerns raised.
“I’m pleased the minister has announced an independent, third party, transparent investigation, because that’s exactly what needs to happen,” Dr Knox concluded.
