The latest NSW Health patient survey has intensified pressure on the State Government to commit to a new hospital for Ballina, with the town’s ageing facility recording the lowest overall satisfaction score of any public hospital on the North Coast.

Only 77 percent of Ballina patients rated their overall experience as “good” or “very good”.

This was well behind Byron Central Hospital (88 percent), the new Tweed Hospital (92), Casino and Maclean (93), Lismore and Grafton Base Hospitals (94) and Murwillumbah (97).

Safety Fears for Staff and Patients

Mayor Sharon Cadwallader says the figures are further evidence that Ballina is being left behind – and she warned that security concerns at the hospital are not being addressed.

She noted this week’s announcement that Accident and Emergency departments at Lismore and Grafton hospitals will receive additional security guards and body-worn cameras for staff, while Ballina has been overlooked.

“Ballina doesn’t have any security guards –  despite two recent incidents where a patient discharged from A&E smashed the windows of three cars, one belonging to a hospital staff member,” she said.

 “Two weeks before that, three cars were damaged in an arson attack outside the emergency unit.”

Staff Praised, Infrastructure Failing

The survey again confirmed what locals have long said: Ballina’s frontline health workers are exceptional, but the outdated infrastructure is letting them down. 

Nurses at the hospital earned a 97 percent satisfaction score for care, and doctors 96 percent, both on par with far better-resourced facilities elsewhere. 

Patients also rated Ballina’s health professionals highly for compassion, dignity and respect.

Growing Political Pressure

These results follow months of political lobbying.  As previously reported by Ballina News Daily, local leaders and community groups have warned that the hospital’s limited space, outdated design, and lack of key services are undermining patient care in one of the state’s fastest-growing regions.

“This survey makes the case plain,” Mayor Cadwallader said.

“Our staff are doing heroic work, but they’re working in a building that belongs in another era.”

Health District Response

Northern NSW Local Health District Chief Executive Tracey Maisey (pictured) said the results showed strong patient regard for frontline staff across the region.

“People are often at their most vulnerable when they are in hospital, so to know our doctors and nurses are so highly regarded by our patients is extremely heartening,” Ms Maisey said.

While she praised staff commitment and compassion, campaigners say the government must go further than recognition – it must begin planning to deliver a new hospital.

The survey included feedback from 2,401 patients across the region.