The NSW Government will spend more than $38 million to expand capacity at Westmead Hospital, adding beds, specialist services and staff in an effort to reduce pressure on one of Australia’s busiest public hospitals.
The package includes 18 additional beds in high-demand specialty areas at Westmead Hospital, covering respiratory care, cardiology and the Emergency Department Short-Stay Unit. The funding will also expand respiratory outreach services and increase allied health staffing across hospitals in Western Sydney.
The announcement forms part of the NSW Government’s record $10.3 billion health investment in the 2026-27 State Budget, aimed at strengthening hospital services as demand continues to rise across Western Sydney.
Health Minister Ryan Park said the measures were designed to improve patient care while increasing hospital capacity.
“We promised to deliver more beds and more health services, so that’s exactly what we’re doing.”
He said winter placed extra pressure on hospitals across the region.
“Winter always puts significant pressure on our hospitals, especially in Western Sydney, which is why these initiatives are so important to support our health staff and improve experience for patients.”
The expanded respiratory outreach service will include a Clinical Nurse Consultant, Clinical Nurse Specialist and Respiratory Staff Specialist. The team will provide early intervention, support patients in hospital and deliver community-based care aimed at preventing deterioration and reducing hospital stays.
Additional allied health professionals, including physiotherapists and speech therapists, will also be recruited to assist long-stay patients and support earlier discharge where appropriate.
The government said the measures are intended to improve patient flow through the hospital by helping move patients more quickly from emergency departments into specialist wards. It expects the changes to reduce waiting times, shorten inpatient stays, improve access to specialist care and expand home-based treatment options where suitable.
The package includes 18 additional beds in high-demand specialty areas at Westmead Hospital, covering respiratory care, cardiology and the Emergency Department Short-Stay Unit. The funding will also expand respiratory outreach services and increase allied health staffing across hospitals in Western Sydney
Mr Park said the funding would strengthen services while creating extra capacity across the health system.
“This investment represents real value for money because not only are we providing better care for people when they interact with the system, we are creating much needed additional capacity so more people can lean on our healthcare system when they need it most.”
He also criticised the previous Coalition government over investment in Western Sydney health services.
“The former Coalition government’s failure to properly invest in health services across western Sydney let hospitals under pressure, and jeopardised health services for local communities.”
Member for Parramatta Donna Davis said the investment reflected the rapid growth of Western Sydney.
“Western Sydney continues to grow, and this government is determined to not just expand its healthcare options but also improve the quality of services available to its residents.”
She said investment in hospital infrastructure needed to be matched by continued support for frontline healthcare services.
“We have spent billions of dollars on world-class infrastructure in the west, so it’s important we continue to invest like this in the systems and processes to ensure healthcare is the best it can be.”
Ms Davis said population growth meant planning for future healthcare demand was essential.
“The local health district’s population is already above one million people, and it’s set to keep increasing, up to more than 1.4 million by 2041 – so what we’re doing today is not just about the present, but about the future too.”
The funding sits alongside the NSW Government’s wider hospital building program, which includes the new Rouse Hill Hospital, the new Bankstown Hospital, redevelopments at Fairfield and Canterbury hospitals, and additional beds at Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals.
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