The NSW public health system is world-class. It is the biggest public health system in Australia with 228 public hospitals and 122,538 dedicated staff (FTE) who make up the health workforce. Each year, NSW Health cares for millions of people and oversees investment worth billions of dollars in patient care, building, equipment, technology and research.
However, health care is changing and so are the needs and expectations of communities, patients, and their carers. Increased demand, an ageing population and more people dealing with chronic illness such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer all mean new challenges for how services are funded, planned and delivered.
It is important to know that if you elect to be a public patient when admitted to a public hospital, you will not receive a bill for your stay. Your tax dollars contribute to meeting the costs of health care - it is your health system.
Sources: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2016 census; NSW Ministry of Health. Some figures are approximate.