More than 60 hospital beds across the Northern Rivers are being occupied by patients who are medically ready to leave but cannot access aged care or NDIS support, according to new NSW Government figures.
As of June 30, there were 63 patients in Northern NSW hospitals waiting for Commonwealth-funded placements, including 18 at Tweed Valley Hospital, seven at Ballina District Hospital, five at Murwillumbah District Hospital and four at Lismore Base Hospital. A further eight were waiting at Grafton Base Hospital.
Health Minister Ryan Park said the growing number of patients unable to be discharged was placing significant pressure on hospitals.
‘In Northern NSW, this means more than 60 beds in NSW public hospitals cannot be used as a result,’ Mr Park said.
‘Waiting indefinitely in a hospital is not good for patient mobility, recovery or quality of life. These people are more than statistics, and they deserve so much better.’
The Northern Rivers figures form part of a much larger statewide problem.
Across NSW, the number of patients medically ready to leave hospital but waiting for aged care or NDIS support rose from 1,065 in June 2025 to 1,355 a year later, an increase of more than 27 per cent.
NSW Health estimates the figure could reach almost 1,700 by June next year if current trends continue.
Older people waiting for aged-care placements account for much of the increase, with the statewide number rising almost 40 per cent over the past year.
The government says the delays mean the equivalent of about one in eight hospital beds accessible from NSW emergency departments is occupied by someone who no longer requires hospital treatment.
Minister for the North Coast and Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said local health workers were caring for patients while they waited to move into appropriate services.
‘Ensuring our older residents and NDIS participants receive the right care in the right setting is a huge priority for our community,’ Ms Saffin said.
The NSW Government has announced a $35.7 million Aged Care Response Package and is expanding home-based aged-care outreach and virtual geriatric services in an attempt to reduce hospital admissions and enable earlier discharge.
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