Bad end to summer in WA’s hospitals points to an even worse winter
Sydney Morning Herald
by Hamish HastieMarch 2, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Western Australia’s hospitals are facing unprecedented challenges as they brace for what is expected to be a severe flu season. New data reveals that February 2024 was the worst month on record, with ambulances waiting outside public facilities for an staggering 4893 hours—nearly double last year’s February figure of 4840 hours. This alarming trend underscores serious concerns about the state’s ability to manage the upcoming winter flu season.
The opposition has strongly criticized the government’s preparedness, calling the situation a “absolute indictment” on their priorities. Opposition Leader Basil Zempilas highlighted that while the government claims confidence in its 2026 winter health strategy, it has failed to fully implement key recommendations from last year’s five-point plan aimed at reducing emergency department strain. This plan included measures like diverting non-critical patients to urgent care clinics and increasing aged care bed availability. Zempilas accused the government of focusing too much on “sports and entertainment” while neglecting critical healthcare infrastructure.
Despite these criticisms, Health Minister Natasha Hammat has defended the government’s efforts, citing a $140 million investment in the 2026 winter strategy. This includes improving nurse-to-patient ratios in intensive care units and launching a new website, Access Health WA, to divert minor cases away from emergency departments. The government also announced plans to increase “Time to Think” beds—designed to reduce hospital stays for aged care patients—and standardize ED processes to improve patient transfers.
The situation in Western Australia highlights broader challenges faced by healthcare systems globally. As flu seasons intensify and populations age, the demand for efficient and accessible healthcare services grows exponentially. The crisis in WA serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of proactive planning and investment in public health infrastructure to prevent system-wide collapse during peak periods.
This issue matters not just to Australian readers but to anyone tracking global healthcare systems under strain. The lessons from WA’s current struggles could offer insights for other regions grappling with similar challenges. As winter approaches, the world will be watching to see if Western Australia can turn its healthcare system around—and whether governments elsewhere can learn from these lessons to better prepare for future crises.
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Originally published on Sydney Morning Herald on 3/2/2026