A Sydney Man’s Ordeal: 30 Hours in the Emergency Department
A Sydney father has shared a harrowing experience after spending 30 hours in the emergency department before his appendix ruptured, leading to severe complications. James, who recently visited Campbelltown Hospital’s emergency department due to intense abdominal pain, described the ordeal as painful and distressing.
He underwent several tests but was not allocated a hospital bed for 16 hours. During that time, doctors diagnosed him with appendicitis and advised he needed surgery. However, by the time he received a bed, his appendix had already ruptured.
“I was moved into an offshoot of the emergency department under the care of a surgical team, ready for surgery the next day,” James told 2GB Breakfast host Ben Fordham. “They were about to move me to another ward, where I was going to keep waiting.”
The situation took a dramatic turn when the pain suddenly intensified. “I was waiting in my hospital gown when the pain got 100 times worse — I could not breathe. I usually don’t cry out in pain, but that was excruciating.”
Consequences of the Delay
James spent a week in the hospital suffering from peritonitis, a severe infection that causes intense pain, fever, and a hard abdomen. He also took five weeks off work to recover. He believes his appendix would never have ruptured if he had been treated in a timely manner.
“My understanding is that it’s a relatively routine operation — three holes through the gut through keyhole surgery and you’re out, if not the following day, the day after,” he said.
Despite the challenges, James expressed no issues with the care he received from the doctors and nurses at the hospital. “They were fantastic and were doing the best they could,” he added.
The Broader Context
Recent data revealed that one in 10 patients waits up to 27 hours in the emergency department to be admitted at Campbelltown Hospital, according to The Sydney Morning Herald. This issue persists despite the hospital undergoing a $632 million redevelopment, which included doubling the size of the emergency department.
NSW Health Minister Ryan Park recently highlighted improvements in the treatment of emergency patients with life-threatening conditions at Campbelltown Hospital. He stated that the proportion of such patients being treated on time increased by more than half during the final quarter of 2025, from 36.8% to 59.5%.
Campbelltown Hospital is one of the busiest in the state and serves the Macarthur region, where over 133,000 new residents are expected to live over the next decade.
A Message for the Premier
During the interview, James shared a strong message for NSW Premier Chris Minns. “It’s unacceptable,” he said. “Campbelltown Hospital has had a $632 million upgrade, then this happens.”
South Western Sydney Local Health District has apologised to James for the care he received. A spokeswoman told Daily Mail: “We take all complaints very seriously and are undertaking a review of the treatment provided.” The hospital is committed to improving its services and providing compassionate, patient-centred care.
“We continue to review areas for improvement and implement strategies to support our dedicated, highly-skilled staff and enhance patient care. These include reviewing ED models of care, improving care coordination, early identification of patients suitable for discharge and enhanced use of the short-stay unit.”
The Daily Mail also contacted the NSW government for comment.
