Since 2000, the population of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Port Stephens and Cessnock has risen by over 100,000 people, with a similar rise expected by the mid 2040s. Yet we still only have four large hospitals plus Cessnock and Kurri Kurri.
Sure, Maitland has been rebuilt, but it will not reach its full potential for some time. The John Hunter is being upgraded, yet demand for public health services has never been more prevalent than in the past few years. Even with two extra ambulance stations (Edgeworth and Sandgate's makeshift one, and one each proposed at East Maitland and Branxton) the demand will not go down, with more ambulance ramping the result.
