Camden Hospital ‘sidelined’ by Aerotropolis hospital plan

Calls to resource Camden Hospital better have been reignited by residents who feel sidelined by a multimillion dollar investment into a new public hospital in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.

Residents are caling for more resources for Camden Hospital ahead of a major investment in a new hospital near the new Western Sydney Airport.

A $15m investment for a new hospital near the Western Sydney Aerotropolis has left residents in a nearby town wondering when their existing hospital would receive similar resourcing.

The Daily Telegraph exclusively revealed the Minns Government’s multimillion dollar investment kicked off early-stage planning for a public hospital within the Aerotropolis on April 1.

Health Minister Ryan Park stated it was part of plans to “meet the needs of the growing community in southwest Sydney well into the future” – in addition to more than $6 billion invested in health and hospital infrastructure across greater Sydney.

But the news has left many Camden residents frustrated, claiming their own local hospital has long been under-resourced.

Camden Council Mayor Ashleigh Cagney said the hospital’s future was a key priority for the town’s residents.

NSW Government announced a $15 million investment to begin planning a new major hospital in the Western Sydney Aerotropolis.

“The need to retain and redevelop Camden Hospital has been consistently raised by residents, stakeholders and health professionals in our community,” Ms Cagney said.

Despite Camden Council publicly welcoming the $15 million for the Aerotropolis hospital, Ms Cagney made it clear that it should not come at the expense of Camden Hospital.

Camden Mayor Ashleigh Cagney welcomed the investment but said it should not come at the expense of Camden Hospital. Picture: Jonathan Ng

“I believe this announcement should complement, not compete with, the ongoing need for investment in Camden Hospital,” she said.

With no maternity unit, a limited emergency department, and no definitive answer as to whether the palliative care unit will move to Campbelltown Hospital, residenst say the government is ignoring an existing hospital that could do so much for the community.

Resident Carla Fahey said on Facebook: “We already have Camden Hospital infrastructure, would the funds not benefit in improving this hospital to be a proper hospital?”

Michael James added: “We need Camden Hospital upgraded! Campbelltown Hospital is bursting at the seams and we need a decent proper ED at Camden Hospital.”

Camden Hospital’s maternity ward was previously axed and is now left with a limited emergency department and palliative care unit.

Camden is the fastest growing local government area in the state, with an 81 percent population increase expected to amount to more than 257,000 residents by 2046.

Most of the region’s population currently rely on Campbelltown Hospital to access urgent public healthcare.

The latest statistics from Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show Camden Hospital is already facing increased demand with 13,048 patients in 2023–24 – 300 more than the previous year.

The patients included 1338 emergency department presentations and 4216 patients requiring urgent care.

Current plans put the bulk of the region’s population relying on Campbelltown Hospital to access urgent public healthcare. Picture: CPB Contractors

“Camden’s population is growing rapidly,” Ms Cagney said.

“The state and federal governments simply cannot delay giving Camden what it so desperately requires.”

Despite the clear rising need, residents say services have been gradually stripped away from Camden Hospital.

Camden hospital currently shares staff and resourcing with Campbelltown Hospital.

Thousands of doctors walked out from hospitals for three days this week in the latest wave of industrial action over pay and conditions for doctors and other hospital staff.

Ms Cagney stated the importance of supporting initiatives to grow and retain a skilled local health workforce, noting that “delivering infrastructure without sufficient staff will not meet the community’s needs”.

NSW Health and Labor member for Camden Sally Quinnell have been contacted for comment.