新南威尔士州卫生系统周一迎来"历史上最大冬季日"，急诊部门接诊接近10000人，较平均水平增加约1000人[1]。救护车出车次数更是远超预期，达到4100次[1]。面对这一创纪录的就诊人潮，州政府发出呼吁，健康部长Ryan Park表示"除非生命可能处于危险中，否则没有必要去急诊部门"[1]。一名急诊护士证实周一的等待时间长达10小时[1]。
州政府已宣布建立常设指挥中心，与17个地方卫生区和新南威尔士州救护车服务合作，以协调医院需求[1]。当局同时鼓励患者转向Healthdirect电话咨询服务和急诊护理诊所[1]。州长Chris Minns警告称急诊科"最糟糕的三周即将到来"，并表示"所有复苏室已全部占用"[1]。此外，健康部长指出有1300名年龄护理或NDIS患者"困在医院内"[1]。
然而医学界对政府应对措施持批评态度。NSW医学会会长Fred Betros博士指出"这不是一个不可预见的危机"，并表示"告诉患者远离急诊部门不是卫生战略"[1]，暗示根本问题在于需要增加医疗投资而非转移患者。当地政府已推出流感疫苗接种计划，接种费用为15澳元，五岁以下、64岁以上或易感人群可免费接种[1]。
New South Wales emergency departments experienced their busiest winter day on record on Monday, treating nearly 10,000 patients—approximately 1,000 more than average—as respiratory illnesses surge across the state [1]. Ambulance callouts reached 4,100, significantly exceeding normal levels [1].
In response to the overwhelming demand, Health Minister Ryan Park urged the public to refrain from visiting emergency departments unless their lives are in danger [1]. The government announced the establishment of a permanent coordination centre to work with 17 local health districts and NSW Ambulance to manage hospital capacity [1]. Authorities are directing patients toward alternative services, including Healthdirect telephone consultations and urgent care clinics [1]. Flu vaccinations are available for A$15, with free access for children under five, those over 64, and vulnerable populations [1].
The crisis has exposed deeper system pressures. An emergency nurse reported wait times of up to 10 hours on Monday [1], while Health Minister Park disclosed that 1,300 aged care and National Disability Insurance Scheme patients are "stuck in hospitals" [1]. Premier Chris Minns warned that the worst three weeks of the season are imminent, stating that "all recovery rooms are at full capacity" [1]. Dr Fred Betros, president of the NSW Medical Association, rejected the characterization of the situation as a public behaviour problem, stating that "telling patients to stay away from emergency departments is not a health strategy" [1].