Recent events at Blacktown Hospital in Sydney’s west have raised serious concerns about patient care and the resourcing of the public health system. In one widely reported case, patients were left waiting on the floor of the hospital’s emergency department while they waited for a bed.
Families have bravely come forward to share their stories, grieving for loved ones who have passed away. These stories are important as they shine a light on lived experiences so we can better act on our priorities as a society, encourage improvements in the health system, and raise awareness of patients’ legal rights.
A specialist lawyer will review your circumstances and tell you how much you can claim.
In late July 2025, one widely reported case at Blacktown Hospital illustrated the strain on emergency services. Raymond, a 70‑year‑old man with pre‑existing medical conditions and critically low haemoglobin levels, presented to the hospital suffering from severe diarrhoea and a life‑threatening condition. Because no beds were available, he reportedly had to wait on the emergency department floor for around 24 hours while awaiting treatment.
Raymond’s daughter later provided photographs to Sydney radio station 2GB to highlight the hospital’s overcrowding. One image showed her father resting on the floor; another showed an 80‑year‑old man, also waiting for a bed, sleeping under a blanket on the floor for at least 12 hours. According to the family, staff asked Raymond not to sleep near the reception area.
Faced with extended wait times, Raymond considered leaving to seek care at a hospital in a smaller town where wait times are shorter. His experience has drawn attention to a broader issue: only 41% of emergency department patients at Blacktown Hospital are treated within clinically recommended time frames, according to NSW Health data. In fact, the hospital ranks last among 20 hospitals in its category for timely emergency care.
NSW Premier Chris Minns acknowledged that these situations are unacceptable and that the state’s health system faces an enormous challenge. While the government has committed to new hospitals and additional beds, families say that timely improvements are crucial.
Hospitals and their staff owe patients a duty of care. When a medical professional fails to take reasonable care to prevent injury to a patient, this is known as medical negligence. A duty of care exists when the risk of harm is foreseeable, not insignificant, and a reasonable person would have taken precautions to prevent that harm.
Poorly managed emergency departments, chronic bed shortages and failure to provide timely treatment can amount to a breach of that duty. Under the Civil Liability Act 2002 (NSW), an injured person must show that the hospital or medical professional owed them a duty, breached that duty, and that this breach caused their injury. Although hospitals aren’t expected to eliminate all risks, they must take reasonable steps to prevent foreseeable harm.
To succeed in a medical negligence claim you generally need to prove:
| Duty of care | The medical professional or hospital owed you a duty of care. |
| Breach | The professional failed to exercise a reasonable standard of care. |
| Damage | You suffered an injury or harm as a result. |
| Causation | The negligent conduct caused or contributed to your injury. |
Medical professionals can be liable for damage caused through treatment, failure to diagnose or delayed diagnosis. Compensation might include payments for physical and psychological harm, loss of earnings, ongoing medical expenses and non‑economic loss such as pain and suffering.
If you feel you or a family member has suffered as a result of medical negligence, it’s important to act promptly. If you think you may have a claim, seek legal advice as soon as possible to ensure time limits are met and the right evidence is preserved.
At Law Partners, we understand that no amount of compensation can erase the trauma of a loved one being neglected in hospital. However, compensation can provide vital financial support for medical expenses, lost income and rehabilitation.
Our specialist medical negligence lawyers work on a no‑win, no‑fee basis. We can assess whether the hospital or health‑care provider breached their duty of care, help gather medical and expert evidence, and negotiate with insurers on your behalf. In cases where negotiation isn’t successful, we have the resources to commence court proceedings and advocate for you.
If you or someone you love has been harmed because of hospital negligence, whether through delayed treatment, misdiagnosis or unsafe conditions like those seen at Blacktown Hospital, contact us for free legal advice and a free claim check. Our team is here to listen to your story and help you understand your rights and entitlements.
Our senior lawyers will assess your case for free.
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